Uses of Interferon Alfa-2a:
- It is used to treat cancer.
- It is used to treat hepatitis B and C infections.
- It is used to treat advanced HIV -associated Kaposi's sarcoma .
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What are the effects of interferon?
Type1 interferon (IFN) signaling exerts anti-proliferative and anti-viral effects through a cell surface cognate receptor consisting of two subunits, the interferon alpha receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) and IFNAR2 [22].
Is Entocort a TNF alpha inhibitor?
A TNF inhibitor is a pharmaceutical drug that suppresses the physiologic response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is part of the inflammatory response.TNF is involved in autoimmune and immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and refractory asthma, so TNF inhibitors may be used in their ...
What does interferon treat?
What is the Treatment Course with Interferon?
- Treatment is administered via direct injection into Peyronie’s plaque every 2 weeks.
- 2 million U of interferon-a2b injected every 2 weeks for 6 to 12 treatments.
- About 50% of men respond to therapy.
- Absolute change of 9 degrees, a relative reduction of 20% from 42 degrees to around 30 degrees.
- Treatment is effective for dorsal and ventral curvature.
What does interferon beta 1a used for?
What is interferon beta-1a? Interferon beta-1a is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease). interferon beta-1a will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.
What is the use of alpha interferon?
Alpha interferon is a cytokine produced by the innate immune system in response to environmental exposures including viral infections. Alpha interferon in various formulations has been developed as therapy of several forms of cancer and viral infections, but its major use has been as therapy of chronic hepatitis C.
How is interferon treatment administered?
You usually have interferon alfa as an injection just under the skin (subcutaneously). You have it into the tummy (abdomen), upper arm or thigh. A nurse may teach you to give the injection yourself at home if you are having interferon for some weeks or months. Or a family member can learn how to do it.
How long does interferon treatment last?
Interferon treatment for hepatitis C would typically last 24–48 weeks (6–12 months). Interferons caused many long-term side effects partly because of this long treatment time. Using the drug for this length of time gave side effects a chance to develop and get worse.
Why are some patients treated with alpha interference?
Interferon is given to stimulate the body's immune system to fight some types of cancer. The immune system is the body's defence against infection and disease.
Where do you inject interferon?
A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the thigh).
How useful are interferons in oncology?
Interferons are made in the body by white blood cells and other cells, but they can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments for different diseases. In cancer therapy, interferons may help keep cancer cells from growing and may help kill cancer cells.
How much does interferon treatment cost?
The total cost of the IFN treatment regimen was estimated to range between US$1,120 and US$1,962 and the total cost of the Peg-IFN treatment regimen between US$2,156 and US$5,887 ( Table 3).
What are the potential risks of interferons?
Results: Adverse effects due to IFN-alpha have been described in almost every organ system. Many side-effects are clearly dose-dependent. Taken together, occurrence of flu-like symptoms, hematological toxicity, elevated transaminases, nausea, fatigue, and psychiatric sequelae are the most frequently encountered.
Does interferon cause liver damage?
Interferon beta is a well known cause of mild hepatic injury that occasionally can lead to severe liver injury with jaundice.
What is an example of interferons currently being researched or used in a clinical trial?
Zidovudine is an antiviral agent. When given with interferon alpha may help lower the levels and control disease so that cancer does not get worse or come back. Interferon alpha is a man-made copy of a protein that is produced by the body in response to infections.
Is interferon considered chemotherapy?
Interferon-alfa2b is different than a chemotherapy drug; it is actually a natural part of your body's immune system. It is known as a cytokine, which are chemicals normally secreted by cells called leukocytes in response to a virus, bacteria, or other foreign intruders.
Which class of interferons are the most clinically useful?
IFN-γ has been approved for clinical use only in a rare congenital disorder, chronic granulomatous disease. By far the best understood application of any clinically useful interferon is against chronic HCV infections, for which IFN-α has been an approved treatment since 1991 [27].
How is this medicine (Interferon Alfa-2a) best taken?
Use interferon alfa-2a as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Interferon Alfa-2a?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take interferon alfa-2a. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Interferon Alfa-2a?
Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
How to avoid interferon alfa-2a?
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how interferon alfa-2a affects you. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor. Have an eye exam as you have been told by your doctor.
What is interferon Alfa-2A used for?
Uses of Interferon Alfa-2a: It is used to treat cancer. It is used to treat hepatitis B and C infections. It is used to treat advanced HIV -associated Kaposi's sarcoma . It may be given to you for other reasons.
How to prevent pregnancy while taking interferon?
Talk with the doctor. If you are a man and have sex with a female who could get pregnant, protect her from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust. Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking interferon alfa-2a. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
Recommendations
The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends against the use of systemic interferon beta for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (AI).
Rationale
Many of the early studies that evaluated the use of systemic interferons for the treatment of COVID-19 were conducted in early 2020, before the widespread use of remdesivir and corticosteroids.
Clinical Trials
See ClinicalTrials.gov for a list of clinical trials that are evaluating the use of interferons for the treatment of COVID-19.
Adverse Effects
The most frequent adverse effects of systemic interferon include flu-like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, hematological toxicities, elevated transaminases, and psychiatric problems (e.g., depression, suicidal ideation). Interferon beta is better tolerated than interferon alfa, but it can cause similar types of adverse effects. 6,7
Drug-Drug Interactions
Additive toxicities may occur when systemic interferons are used concomitantly with other immunomodulators and chemotherapeutic agents. 6,7
Considerations in Pregnancy
According to analyses of data from several large pregnancy registries, exposure to interferon beta-1b prior to conception or during pregnancy does not lead to an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes (e.g., spontaneous abortion, congenital anomaly). 8,9 Exposure to interferon beta-1b did not influence birth weight, height, or head circumference.
Considerations in Children
There are currently not enough data on the use of interferons to treat respiratory viral infections in children to make any recommendations for treating children with COVID-19.
What is interferon alpha?
A Word From Verywell. Interferon alpha is a drug derived from human cells that modulates the immune system, fights certain infections, and has anti-tumor activity. It is useful in treating polycythemia vera, a form of neoplasm. Currently it is considered a second-line drug for this condition.
What is the best interferon alpha for polycythemia?
A newer form of interferon alpha, called PEGylated interferon alpha-2a (sold under the brand name Pegasys) currently appears to be the most favorable type of interferon alpha for treating polycythemia vera. 5
What is cytoreductive therapy?
For this reason, cytoreductive therapy is commonly used even in low-risk patients who have troublesome and persistent symptoms. Several cytoreductive drugs are used in treating polycythemia vera, including hydroxyurea, busulfan, ruxolitinib, and interferon alpha.
Why is Busulfan not used?
Busulfan has fallen out of favor for the treatment of polycythemia vera because it has been weakly associated with persistent bone marrow suppression and the development of leukemia. Today, it is used chiefly when other drugs have been tried and have failed.
Can polycythemia vera be treated?
A small number of them can eventually develop malignant leukemia. There is no cure for polycythemia vera. However, a number of treatments are available that can reduce the red blood cell count, and diminish or eliminate the symptoms caused by this condition. Among these treatments is interferon alpha.
Is interferon alpha curable?
Uses of Interferon Alpha. Treating Polycythemia Vera. Side Effects. Polycythemia vera is a type of slow-growing neoplasm, localized to the bone marrow, whose chief manifestation is an excessive production of red blood cells. While polycythemia vera is not curable, with good medical management people who have this condition will commonly live ...
Is interferon alpha a second line drug?
Currently it is considered a second-line drug for this condition. Newer formulations of interferon alpha, aimed at reducing toxicity and increasing its duration of action, are being evaluated in randomized trials to determine whether might eventually become a first-line drug for polycythemia vera.
When was interferon first used?
In 1986 , the first lab-made interferon was created to treat certain types of cancer. It was one of the earliest treatments to work with your immune system to fight illness and was later approved as a treatment for several other conditions, including hepatitis and multiple sclerosis.
How do you get interferon?
You get interferon as a shot under your skin or into a muscle. A doctor can give you the shot or teach you how to give it to yourself at home. Interferon is also sometimes given through a vein in your arm (infusion). The number of shots or infusions you need depends on the condition you have.
Why are interferons called interferons?
And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders. Interferons got their name because they "interfere" with viruses and keep them from multiplying. In 1986, the first lab-made interferon was created to treat certain types of cancer.
What does interferon do to your body?
Interferons alert your immune system to fight viruses and cancer. Learn how they work and when your doctor might recommend them.
What is interferon gamma-1b?
Interferon gamma-1b (Actimmune) treats chronic granulomatous disease, which affects the way your immune system works, and severe malignant osteopetrosis, which affects your bones. Certain types of interferon medications have a chemical called polyethylene glycol (PEG) added to them.
What is the signal that a virus gives off?
Cells that have been infected with viruses or other germs give off interferon-alpha and interferon-beta as a warning signal to your immune system. That triggers immune cells called white blood cells to release interferon-gamma to fight the germs.
What are the three types of interferons?
Almost every cell in your body makes interferons. There are three main types: Interferon-alpha (or interferon-alfa) Interferon-beta. Interferon-gamma. Cells that have been infected with viruses or other germs give off interferon-alpha and interferon-beta as a warning signal to your immune system. That triggers immune cells called white blood cells ...
What is the role of interferons in the immune system?
Type I interferons regulate the innate and acquired immune response. They activate cells in the immune system to suppress infections and fight cancer cells. Regulation is carried out through interaction with the membrane receptor IFNAR.
How much interferon is needed for a bilateral Moray ulcer?
Monotherapy with interferon-α2b at a dosage of 1 million IU / ml (1 drop every 2 hours) eliminating the lesion without causing a relapse.
What is Interferon 2B?
Interferon α2b in neoplasia of the eye surface. The most common neoplasm of the eye surface is squamous cell neoplasia of the eye surface. The disease can progress to intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma.
What is the purpose of IFN-2B?
IFN-α2b reduces the viral load in the conjunctival epithelial cells that produce the mucin layer of the tear film.
How much IFN-2B is needed for squamous cell neoplasia?
The dosage is 1 million IU/ml 4 times a day. Side effects may appear after 3 weeks in the form of intra-tumor bleeding.
What is IFN 2B used for?
IFN-α2b topical eye drops are also used for additional therapy of patients with conjunctival melanoma after surgery.
How long does it take for a conjunctival papilloma to resolve?
Complete resolution of the disease occurs without relapse within 6 weeks with no side effects.
Recommendations
- The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends against the use of systemic interferon beta for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (AI).
- The Panel recommends against the use of interferon alfa or lambda for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, except in a clinical trial (AIIa).
- The Panel recommends against the use of interferons for the treatment of nonhospitalized p…
- The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends against the use of systemic interferon beta for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (AI).
- The Panel recommends against the use of interferon alfa or lambda for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, except in a clinical trial (AIIa).
- The Panel recommends against the use of interferons for the treatment of nonhospitalized patients with mild or moderate COVID-19, except in a clinical trial (AIIa).
Rationale
- Many of the early studies that evaluated the use of systemic interferons for the treatment of COVID-19 were conducted in early 2020, before the widespread use of remdesivir and corticosteroids. In addition, these early studies administered interferons with other drugs that have since been shown to have no clinical benefit in people with COVID-19, such as lopinavir/rito…
Clinical Trials
- See ClinicalTrials.govfor a list of clinical trials that are evaluating the use of interferons for the treatment of COVID-19.
Adverse Effects
- The most frequent adverse effects of systemic interferon include flu-like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, hematological toxicities, elevated transaminases, and psychiatric problems (e.g., depression, suicidal ideation). Interferon beta is better tolerated than interferon alfa, but it can cause similar types of adverse effects.6,7
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Additive toxicities may occur when systemic interferons are used concomitantly with other immunomodulators and chemotherapeutic agents.6,7
Considerations in Pregnancy
- According to analyses of data from several large pregnancy registries, exposure to interferon beta-1b prior to conception or during pregnancy does not lead to an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes (e.g., spontaneous abortion, congenital anomaly).8,9 Exposure to interferon beta-1b did not influence birth weight, height, or head circumference.10
Considerations in Children
- There are currently not enough data on the use of interferons to treat respiratory viral infections in children to make any recommendations for treating children with COVID-19.