MEDICAL UPDATE: The Interferons

MEDICAL UPDATE: The Interferons

Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1992
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt

As to the cytokines, several have been tried, most extensively the interferons. There are multiple reasons one might consider interferons in the context of HIV. Interferons have direct antiretroviral action against HIV itself. They are immunomodulators with capacity to stimulate immune response against HIV itself as well as against some of the associated opportunistic infections. They have also been used against Kaposi's sarcoma. Interferon alpha, beta, and gamma are also synergistic, in vitro, against HIV with other antiretroviral agents with other modes of action.

In vivo, most of the experience with interferons has been with KS. Interferon alpha has been most useful against KS in those individuals who have a well-preserved general immune responsiveness, in terms of tumor response. Those whose tumor responded to interferon tended to also have a decline in p24 antigen, indicating a general anti-HIV effect.
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