Clinical Applications of Interferon January 29, 1997

Clinical Applications of Interferon January 29, 1997

Human cell interferon, abbreviated as IFN-α, IFN-β, or IFN-γ. It was first tested clinically in the 1970s and has since been widely used. It is generally classified into leukocyte-derived, lymphocyte-derived, and fibroblast-derived types. Leukocyte-derived interferon is α-interferon; fibroblast-derived is β-interferon; lymphocyte-derived is γ-interferon. This product has direct cytotoxic effects and regulates immune responses. It shows significant efficacy against chronic myelogenous leukemia, malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the genitourinary system. It is administered via intramuscular injection and cannot be given intravenously (due to a half-life of only 20 minutes). The dosage should not exceed 100,000 U/kg; exceeding this amount easily leads to side effects. Fever, bone marrow suppression, myocardial damage, hair loss, and rash are common adverse reactions.