A new dosing regimen of ropeginterferon alfa-2b is highly effective and tolerable: findings from a phase 2 study in Chinese patients with polycythemia vera

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b represents a new-generation pegylated interferon-based therapy and is administered every 2–4 weeks. It is approved for polycythemia vera (PV) treatment in the United States and Europe with a starting dose of 100 µg (50 µg for patients receiving hydoxyurea) and intra-patient dose titrations up to 500 µg at 50 µg increments, which took approximately 20 or more weeks to reach a plateau dose level. This study aimed to assess ropeginterferon alfa-2b at an alternative dosing regimen with a higher starting dose and quicker intra-patient dose titrations, i.e., the 250–350–500 μg schema, in 49 Chinese patients with PV with resistance or intolerance to hydroxyurea. The primary endpoint of the complete hematologic response rate at treatment weak 24 was 61.2%, which was notably higher than 43.1% at 12 months with the approved dosing schema. The JAK2V617F allele burden decreased from baseline to week 24 (17.8% ± 18.0%), with one patient achieving a complete molecular response. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b was well-tolerated and most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate. Common AEs included alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increases mostly at grade 1 or 2 levels. Patients did not present with jaundice or significant bilirubin level increase. No grade 4 or 5 AEs occurred. Seven patients (14.3%) experienced reversible, drug-related grade 3 AEs. No AEs led to treatment discontinuation. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b at the 250–350–500 μg regimen is highly effective and well-tolerated and can help patients achieve greater and rapid complete hematologic and molecular responses.