Interferon-alpha is a type I interferon, which is a pleiotropic cytokine with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties.
Interferon-alpha Is widely used in the treatment of various viral infections, certain cancers, and some autoimmune diseases.
IFN-alpha exerts its effects by binding to specific cell surface receptors, initiating a signal transduction cascade primarily through the JAK-STAT pathway.
This leads to the transcription of various genes involved in antiviral defense, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis.
Clinically, IFN-alpha has been previously used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), hepatitis B and C, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma, among other conditions.
It can induce the differentiation and activation of immune cells: dendritic cells and T cells, enhancing the host’s immune response against tumors and viral infections.
Its immunomodulatory effects include the promotion of a Th1 immune response, which is crucial for antiviral and antitumor immunity.
It also enhances the activity of CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, contributing to its therapeutic efficacy.
Interferon alfa 2b is an antiviral or antineoplastic drug, with a wide range of indications, including viral infections and cancers.
Pregnancy category US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration are subcutaneous, and intramuscular.
Approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, hairy cell leukemia, Behçet’s disease, chronic myelogenous leukemia, multiple myeloma, follicular lymphoma, carcinoid tumor, mastocytosis and malignant melanoma.
Intron-A tradename
Adverse effects include fever, chills, arthralgias, fatigue, anorexia and weight loss, hair thinning, depression, neurological toxicity, impaired concentration, sleep disturbance, stomatitis, and cardiotoxicity.
Chronic use can cause autoimmune disorders such associated thyroiditis, polyarthropathies, diabetes, anemia, thrombocytopenia and hepatitis.
Can increase major complex expression, immunoglobulin and inflammatory cytokine release.
Inhibits activated T cell apoptosis.
Thyroid function abnormalities during treatment reported in 2-10% of patients.
Liver function abnormalities reported in up to 30-70% of patients on treatment.
Interferons induce sustained reduction in mutant JAK2 alleles and induce high rates of clinical, hematological and ,molecular responses in polycythemia vera.
