INTERFERON NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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INTERFERON

Eleventh Annual Cancer Symposium. Scripps Memorial Hospitals Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, p. 7-12, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88645131
Foon KA; Div. of Hematology/Oncology, Univ. of Michigan Hosp., Ann Arbor,; MI

Abstract: Interferons (IFNs) are a family of proteins produced by cells in response to a virus, double-stranded RNA, antigens, and mitogens. Although the mechanism of action of IFNs in cancer therapy remains unclear, it is postulated that they work via an antiproliferative activity or by altering the immune system. For example, impressive (50%) responses have been reported with IFN-alpha in Kaposi's sarcoma of patients (pts) with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), but not in AIDS itself, and therefore, no impact has been observed on pt survival. Although responses with renal carcinoma have been modest, they are superior to those obtained with other agents in this exceptionally refractory tumor. No response has been observed in breast, lung, or colon tumors treated with IFN-alpha. The most impressive responses with IFN-alpha in hematologic malignancies have been in hairy cell leukemia, in which virtually all pts exhibit normalization or near normalization of their blood counts and continue to respond to IFN for an indefinite period. Responses in low-grade lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma are approx 50%. In pts with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 25% reportedly have no detectable Philadelphia chromosome following therapy. IFN-gamma is also active in CML, and the two agents are being tested in combination in some studies.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/THERAPY Human Interferons/*THERAPEUTIC USE Leukemia/*THERAPY Leukemia, Hairy Cell/THERAPY Leukemia, Myeloid/THERAPY MEETING PAPER

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/therapyhumaninterferons/KWDtherapeuticuseleukemia/KWDtherapyleukemia,hairycell/therapyleukemia,myeloid/therapymeetingpaper
880830
M8880540

Copyright © 1988 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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