Clinical and Virological Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon Alpha in the Treatment of Rhinovirus Infection in Patients With Primary Hypogammaglobulinemia: Randomized Controlled Trial (Hypogamma Int1)

Clinical and Virological Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon Alpha in the Treatment of Rhinovirus Infection in Patients With Primary Hypogammaglobulinemia: Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical and Virological Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon Alpha in the Treatment of Rhinovirus Infection in Patients With Primary Hypogammaglobulinemia: Randomized Controlled Trial

The study will investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous interferon alpha -2a to eradicate rhinovirus in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia have persistent rhinovirus infections. Rhinovirus may worsen pulmonary complications. Pegylated interferon alpha with ribavirin appear to effectively clear persistent rhinovirus infections in hypogammaglobulinemia patients. Patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia and confirmed respiratory rhinovirus infection will be randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive either Group 1: subcutaneous pIFNα2a Group 2: subcutaneous placebo Subjects will have scheduled study visits at 1-week and at 2-month after entry to study. In addition, possible bacterial infections will be treated with antibiotics. Each patient will be followed with weekly nasal surveillance samples for 2 months and a symptom diary. Blood draws take place at study entry, 1-week and 2-month time-points.

Patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia and confirmed respiratory rhinovirus infection will receive subcutaneous pIFNα2a (pegylated interferon alfa 2, Pegasys, 180 ug s.c. injection once a week, two times ). Washout period is 8 weeks. When the same patient gets next rhinovirus infection, he/she will receive subcutaneous placebo (0,9% NaCl) injection once a week, two times.

Patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia and confirmed respiratory rhinovirus infection will receive will receivesubcutaneous placebo(0,9% NaCl) injection once a week, two times. Washout period is 8 weeks. When the same patient gets next rhinovirus infection, he/she will subcutaneous pIFNα2a (pegylated interferon alfa 2, Pegasys, 180 ug s.c. injection once a week, two times ).

Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients (>18 years), primary hypogammaglobulinemia with regular immunoglobulin replacement therapy, rhinovirus positive from nasal swab, thrombocytes over 90 x109/L, Neutrophiles > 1,5 x109/L written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Participation to another study, need for intensive care unit treatment, difficulties to understand national language, pregnancy and breastfeeding, any somatic, psychiatric or social disease or issue which in the opinion of the investigator makes participation in the trial not being in the best interest of the subject.