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ribavirin + PEG-IFNalpha-2a (Copegus + Pegasys / Pegasys + Copegus / Pegasys/Copegus)

✓ Approved

Roche · IFNAR2 · Small Molecule

What is ribavirin + PEG-IFNalpha-2a?

ribavirin + PEG-IFNalpha-2a is a small molecule developed by Roche. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or oral (po) or subcutaneous injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesCopegus + Pegasys, Pegasys + Copegus, Pegasys/Copegus
CompanyRoche
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetIFNAR2
RouteInjectable (Others), Oral (PO), Subcutaneous Injection
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Roche

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ribavirin + PEG-IFNalpha-2a acts on 1 molecular target:

IFNAR2interferon alpha and beta receptor subunit 2 (IFNARB, IFN-alpha-REC)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

ribavirin + PEG-IFNalpha-2a is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsHepatitis C✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedSmart molecules : open access2026-07-25

Synthesis, modification, and chlorhexidine loading of polymer modified-HM-HAP particles: In vivo antibacterial analysis and cell cytotoxicity assessment.

Shafiq Farishta F, Liu Chenyu C, Yu Simiao S, Pan Yongxin Y et al.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is commonly known as an excellent biocompatible and a potential solution to be used in drug delivery applications. This paper examines the synthesis, modification, and loading of chlorhexidine (CHD) drug into hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite (HM-HAP) particles to increase the antibacterial efficacy for oral infections. HM-HAP particles were synthesized and modified with different weight polymers that is, polyethylene glycol (PEG (1000, 2000, 4.6k)) and polyethyleneimine (PEI (1200, 1800)), to improve the surface properties and drug loading ability. Chlorhexidine was effectively loaded onto both unmodified and polymer-modified HM-HAP samples, achieving loading efficiencies up to 81.67% for HM-HAP and 77.85% for PEG-1000/HM-HAP verified by UV-vis analysis. The CHD-loaded samples were then eventually incorporated into sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) gels to improve their sticking properties, hence enabling effective adherence to the treatment site and enhancing the local antibacterial effect. The antibacterial activity of both CHD-loaded polymer-modified HM-HAP samples and CHD-loaded polymer-modified HM-HAP gel samples was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro tests, PEI-1200/HM-HAP and PEG-1000/HM-HAP gels exhibited the largest inhibition zones of ∼1.6 cm against Escherichia coli and ∼1.5 cm against Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. In vivo study evaluated the antibacterial efficiency of the CHD-loaded polymer modified HM-HAP gel samples by isolating oral bacteria from mouse teeth, with Gel-PEI-1200/HM-HAP@CHD and Gel-PEG-1000/HM-HAP@CHD samples demonstrating superior antibacterial performance. These findings suggest that CHD-loaded polymer-modified HM-HAP is a promising therapeutic drug delivery system for oral health applications, with PEI-modified HM-HAP exhibiting the slight quickest release and PEG-modified HM-HAP showing sustained activity.

PMID 42500707
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PubMedDose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society2026-07-25

Mechanistic Insights Into Dose-Dependent Alleviation of Colorectal Cancer Through Artemisinin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Albino Wistar Rats.

Zahid Fatima F, Ilyas Umair U, Zahid Sara S, Gulzar Faisal F et al.

The current study investigates the suitability of encapsulating the Artemisinin-plant-originated lipophilic drug molecule into polyethylene glycol-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles in a suitable dose regimen for the specific targeting of the drug in colorectal cancer. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) were synthesized through the sol-gel method, and Artemisinin was loaded. Then characterization of Artemisinin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol (MSN-PEG@Artemisinin) was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta analysis, Polydispersity index (PDI) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and compared with the standard drug Gemcitabine. The in vivo analysis of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was used to induce colorectal tumors in the colon of inbred male Wistar rats. The treatment group of rats was administered MSN-PEG@Artemisinin through intraperitoneal injection. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to the histopathological examination of tumors. The average size of MSN-PEG@Artemisinin was 203.6 ± 64.78 nm with a zeta potential of -10.9mV. PDI was measured at 0.106. FTIR analysis also supported the successful loading of Artemisinin in mesoporous silica nanoparticles with PEG coating without showing interactions. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and Drug loading (DL) percentages were 82.75% and 33.10%, respectively. XRD indicated a uniform mesoporous structure with a proper hexagonal symmetry. The in-vitro release was carried out in phosphate buffer with 7.4 pH following biphasic system with 26% drug release during the first 2.5 hours and 57% in 24 hours, indicating a good controlled release rate. In-vivo study revealed DMH-induced colorectal rats showed the increased tumor weight (34.8±0.75mg) tumor length (8.2±0.6) and tumor width (6.0±0.5) at a dose level of 0.5 ml/kg. Artemisinin loaded MSNPs significantly (p < .005) suppressed tumor weight (15.6±1.56), tumor length (5.7±0.23) and tumor width (2.3±0.8) at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight. Overexpression of 8-OHdG, MMP-7, CA-19-9, KRAS, IL-8, Caspase-8, PD-1 and PDL-1 in CRC, which were successfully treated with MSN-PEG@Artemisinin and standard Gemicitabine ((p≥0.056). MSNPs-PEG@Artemisinin suppressed DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis by targeting oxidative stress, KRAS/MMP-7/IL-8 inflammatory signaling, PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immune evasion, and Caspase-8-associated apoptotic dysregulation. These results highlight the potential of modified MSNPs as a versatile drug delivery system for colorectal cancer, providing a viable approach to enhance the therapeutic window of Artemisinin by controlling the dose while reducing the adverse effects of cancer therapies. This research contributes to advancements in pre-clinical studies and to improvements in targeted colorectal cancer therapies by providing insights into the development and use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a promising drug delivery system.

PMID 42500304
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PubMedChemSusChem2026-07-25

Extending Cofactor-Tethered Nanomachines to Complex Multienzyme Redox Cascades in Continuous Flow.

Dsouza Zinnia Z, Friedrichs Jan-Simon Jeshua JJ, Melse Okke O, Schenk Gerhard G et al.

Multienzyme cascades are emerging as alternatives to fermentation for converting biogenic feedstocks into value-added chemicals and fuels. A major bottleneck in redox transformations is the loss of costly and unstable cofactors in continuous-flow systems, typically necessitating co-immobilization and complex regeneration schemes. Self-sufficient biocatalytic nanomachines, created by fusing enzymes with tethered cofactors, offer a streamlined solution by enabling intramolecular cofactor retention and recycling. Here, we demonstrate that such nanomachines can be integrated into a complete redox-dependent cascade, exemplified by a 10-step glucose-to-isobutanol pathway. Oxidoreductases were fused into redox pairs using peptide linkers containing a single cysteine for covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified nicotinamide cofactors, with rational selection of monomeric enzymes ensuring structural compatibility and soluble expression. The resulting nanomachines remained catalytically competent and produced isobutanol in both batch and continuous-flow operation without the addition of free NAD+. A total turnover number of ∼1.4 × 104 was achieved for tethered PEG-NAD+, among the highest reported for immobilized nicotinamide cofactors. Use of the ultrastable analogue PEG-cNAD+ further demonstrates the modularity of the platform. Together, these results establish a proof-of-concept for cofactor-autonomous multienzyme redox cascades in continuous flow and define design principles for future cell-free synthesis systems.

PMID 42499152
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PubMedJournal of biophotonics2026-07-25

Comparing the Effects of Chemical Optical Clearing Agents and Mechanical Compression on the Optical Attenuation of Porcine Skin.

Silva Camila Ramos CR, Yoshimura Tania Mateus TM, Dos Santos Oliveira Jailda Nonato JN, Raele Marcus Paulo MP et al.

Light scattering remains a primary challenge for deep-tissue optical diagnostics and therapies. While Optical Clearing Agents (OCAs) are used to reduce skin attenuation, Mechanical Compression (MC) is also applied in clinical settings despite its inconclusive results. Their relative effectiveness under standardized conditions remains poorly characterized. This study quantitatively compares various OCA formulations, including mineral oil, PEG-400, fructose, and tartrazine, with enhancers such as oleic acid and 1,2-propanediol, under load-dependent MC (1.6-47 kPa). Using spectral-domain OCT at 840 nm on porcine skin, we found that PEG-400/oleic acid (80/20%) achieved the highest efficiency, reducing the optical attenuation coefficient (OAC) by 23.8% ± 1.7% within 15 min. Fructose-based and aqueous tartrazine formulations also showed significant reductions (16.8% and 20.4%). Conversely, our results show that MC does not effectively reduce skin optical attenuation. These findings demonstrate that OCAs provide a more potent, stable reduction in OAC, offering a superior strategy for optimizing light delivery.

PMID 42499199
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PubMedCureus2026-07-25

Anesthetic Management of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2A) Syndrome With Contralateral Recurrent Pheochromocytoma: A Case Report.

Javed Tauram T, Shafique Mehwish M, Saleem Huma H, Iqbal Almas A et al.

This is a classic and complete representation of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) syndrome, involving primary hyperparathyroidism, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and pheochromocytomas. This case is particularly noteworthy for the recurrent, contralateral presentation of the pheochromocytoma, which emerged years after the initial surgical management. Recurrent and contralateral pheochromocytomas present unique anesthetic, surgical, and postoperative problems due to excess catecholamines and severe, potentially life-threatening hemodynamic instability in the perioperative phase. We report an unusual case of a 29-year-old female with MEN2A who had a right adrenalectomy, subsequently total thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, and was under follow-up with an endocrinologist. During follow-up, she was found to have very high plasma normetanephrine levels (>760 pg/mL), and radiological imaging revealed an avid adrenal nodule in the left adrenal gland, which was consistent with the diagnosis of recurrent contralateral pheochromocytoma. She was managed preoperatively on doxazosin and metoprolol. During the anesthetic evaluation, she had orthostatic hypotension, but no other symptoms related to pheochromocytomas. Elective open left adrenalectomy was carried out under general anesthesia, aiming to blunt stress responses. Hemodynamics were monitored invasively and managed with vasodilator and vasopressor infusions. After the removal of the adrenal tumor, the noradrenaline infusion was stopped as she maintained her stable hemodynamic parameters. She had an uneventful recovery and an orderly discharge from the post-anesthesia recovery unit. This case highlights the importance of meticulous preoperative optimization, vigilant intraoperative monitoring, and readiness with vasoactive agents in managing pheochromocytomas in patients with MEN2A. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to achieve a safe anesthetic course and a favorable outcome in such high-risk scenarios.

PMID 42500777
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PubMedSmart molecules : open access2026-07-25

Redox-responsive dual-drug nanomedicine integrating cisplatin and trypsin for synergistic reversal of tumor chemoresistance.

Yin Xiaolan X, Wang Qi Q, Zhang Ming M, Zhang Cheng C et al.

To overcome cisplatin resistance without increasing systemic toxicity, we rationally elaborated a glutathione-activatable prodrug nanomedicine that chemically co-encapsulates cisplatin and a masked protease. First, a redox-labile succinimide linker (NC-ss-COOH) was covalently grafted onto the ε-amino groups of trypsin to create a "pro-protease" (ssTrypsin) whose catalytic activity is completely silenced in circulation but instantly restored (≥96%) upon cleavage by intratumoral GSH. Simultaneously, cisplatin was stably coordinated to the carboxyl-rich backbone of cRGD-PEG-polyglutamic acid and carboxyl-rich ssTrypsin, forming a polymer-Pt(II) prodrug that prevents premature Pt-GSH adduct formation. These two prodrugs co-self-assemble into potent anti-tumor nanoconstructs that actively target αvβ3/αvβ5-overexpressing tumors. Upon GSH-triggered activation, the dual-drug combination exerts complementary actions: (i) released cisplatin directly damages DNA, while (ii) reactivated trypsin proteolytically degrades all intracellular, cytomembrane, and extracellular proteins as possible (including DNA-repair proteins), collectively re-sensitizing resistant cells. This "prodrug + pro-enzyme" strategy yields a 2.5-fold reduction in IC50 against A2780DDP cells and 77% tumor suppression in vivo, all with minimal off-target toxicity.

PMID 42500704
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