Host genetic factors
For genotype 1 hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a or pegylated interferon alfa-2b combined with ribavirin, it has been shown that genetic polymorphisms near the human IL28B gene, encoding interferon lambda 3, are associated with significant differences in response to the treatment. This finding, originally reported in Nature, showed genotype 1 hepatitis C patients carrying certain genetic variant alleles near the IL28B gene are more likely to achieve sustained virological response after the treatment than others. Another report in Nature  demonstrated the same genetic variants are also associated with the natural clearance of the genotype 1 hepatitis C virus. Other infections
Has also been used for Middle East respiratory syndrome and hepatitis E.

Manufacture
It is pegylated with a branched 40 kg/mol PEG chain. The drug has been manufactured under the brand name Pegasys by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Due to changes in clinical practice - antiviral hepatitis drugs such as sofosbuvir have become much more important - Roche announced in 2020 that it would withdraw Pegasys from the market worldwide, but subsequently sold the worldwide rights to pharma&, an Austrian / Swiss pharmaceutical company that ensures supply in the medium and long term almost worldwide (excluding China and Japan). Research
A Cochrane Review sought to determine whether interferon alfa-2a could be used as a treatment for individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. They found no evidence of improved visual acuity with potential harm. References
External links

"Peginterferon alfa-2a". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Pegasys at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
There is no widely accepted treatment for ODD, although some clinicians will prescribe eye drops designed to decrease the intra-ocular pressure and theoretically relieve mechanical stress on fibers of the optic disc. Rarely choroidal neovascular membranes may develop adjacent to the optic disc threatening bleeding and retinal scarring. Laser treatment or photodynamic therapy or other evolving therapies may prevent this complication. Prognosis
Optic nerve damage is progressive and insidious. Some of patients will develop some peripheral field defects. These can include nasal step defects, enlarged blind spots, arcuate scotomas, sectoral field loss and altitudinal defects. Clinical symptoms correlate to visibility of the drusen. Central vision loss is a rare complication of bleeding  from peripapillar choroidal neovascular membranes. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is a potential complication. Epidemiology
Optic disc drusen are found clinically in about 1% of the population but this increases to 3.4% in individuals with a family history of ODD. About two thirds to three quarters of clinical cases are bilateral. A necropsy study of 737 cases showed a 2.4% incidence with 2 out of 15 (13%) bilateral, perhaps indicating the insidious nature of many cases. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance and associated inherited dysplasia of the optic disc and its blood supply is suspected. Males and females are affected at equal rates. Caucasians are the most susceptible ethnic group. Certain conditions have been associated with disc drusen such as retinitis pigmentosa, angioid streaks, Usher syndrome, Noonan syndrome and Alagille syndrome.