[Ropeginterferon alfa-2 b for the therapy of polycythemia vera].

Interferon alfa (IFNα) has been used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders for more than 30 years. IFNα has been shown to induce clinical, hematological, molecular, and histopathological remission, but its toxicity has remained a limitation of its more widespread use. The development of pegylated forms with a better tolerance has brought new options for patients. Phase III clinical trials, ropeginterferonα versus hydroxyurea: PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV, have shown long-term superiority in the efficacy and safety when comparing ropeginterferon alfa-2 b with hydroxyurea. Therapeutic use of interferons is a necessary part of the treatment regimen in younger at-risk patients in the first line, but until now, no SPC of a non-pegylated or pegylated interferon included treatment of patients with polycythemia vera. Ropeginterferon alfa-2 b (Besremi®) is the first and only one to have obtained registration and is available in the European Union as well as the Czech Republic for the treatment of patients with polycythemia vera without symptomatic splenomegaly.