Interferons, which can be divided into three classes—interferon alfa, beta and gamma—are a group of drugs that are made from human proteins and administered as an injection into the muscle.
The human body naturally produces interferons in an effort to boost immune response to infections such as viruses as well as preventing activity within cancer cells. For this reason, several interferons have been isolated, and they treat a variety of similar disorders.
Available Interferons include but are not limited to:
- Interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A)
- Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A)
- Interferon alfa-n3 (Alferon-N)
- Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)
- Peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron)
- Interferon beta-1a (Avonex)
- Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron)
- Interferon alfacon-1 (Infergen)
- Interferon gamma-1b (Actmmune)
NOTE: The following sections on profile, efficacy, and side effects relate to Interferon alfa-2a and Interferon alfa-2b.
Drug profile
- Class: Biological response modifier
- Mechanism of action: Interferons bind to cell surface receptors, leading to a host of events within the cell that slow or stop cancerous activities.
- Treatment type: Biological therapy
- FDA Use-in-Pregnancy Rating: Category C
What interferons are effective for and why
Interferons have antineoplastic applications in a wide variety of cancers, including but not limited to various subtypes of leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, cancers of the bladder, kidney, cervix, ovaries, thyroid, skin (melanoma), plasma (myeloma), as well as basal cell and squamous cell cancers.
This drug also has applications in viral infections unrelated to cancer, such as genital warts and hepatitis B and C.
It is not uncommon for some interferons to be used in combination with other drugs to boost efficacy.
Side effects: Overview
While each patient will have his or her own experiences with the side effects of Interferons, it is not uncommon for patients to endure myelosuppression, anemia, chills, rigors, fatigue, fever, weight loss or cachexia, a skin rash, or a reaction of some sort at the injection site. Other potential side effects include diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, confusion, depression, headaches, generalized pain and flu-like symptoms.
Most if not all of these side effects should subside when one is finished receiving this medication. Patients are encouraged to report all side effects to their oncologist or oncology team.
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