(ATDN) Interferon Beta

(ATDN) Interferon Beta

Treatment Review No. 13; August 1994

Interferons are substances produced by the body to fight infection. Some of these interferons have been synthesized and used as treatments. Alpha interferon is approved as a treatment for cancers, including Kaposi's Sarcoma. A natural form of interferon, called Alferon N, was approved by the FDA in 1989 for the treatment of genital warts. This product contains at least 14 variations of interferon and is the closest to the oral interferon known as Kemron. Gamma interferon is associated with the growth of cytotoxic, or killer, T8 cells. These cells are critical in locating and killing infected cells. Gamma interferon has been studied for the treatment of MAC, and is used to treat leprosy. Interferon-beta may be useful in combination for treatment of HIV infection. A study shows that combination doses of IL-2 and interferon-beta stimulated natural killer cell activity in blood taken from people with a type of leukemia. HIV infection is associated with low levels of natural killer cell activity. It may be possible to use low dose IL-2 and beta-interferon as a treatment. The drug company that makes Interferon beta, or R-Frone, has applied for an orphan drug designation for the treatment of symptomatic people with AIDS including all patients with CD4 T-cell counts less than 200.

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