Ropeginterferon alfa-2b

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a recombinant interferon alfa-2b conjugated with a two-arm mPEG at a degree of substitution of 1 mole of polymer/mole of protein. Interferon alfa belongs to the class of type I interferons which exhibit their cellular effects by binding to a transmembrane receptor termed interferon alfa receptor (IFNAR). Binding to IFNAR initiates a downstream signalling cascade through the activation of kinases, particularly Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. Interferon alfa was shown to have an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of hematopoietic and bone marrow fibroblast progenitor cells and antagonised the action of growth factors and other cytokines that have a role in the development of myelofibrosis. These actions may be involved in the therapeutic effects of interferon alfa in polycythaemia vera.