alpha interferon

Interferon-α is produced by a recombinant DNA process using genetically engineered Escherichia coli. Recombinant interferon-α appears to be most effective against hairy-cell leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma, and chronic hepatitis C

Three forms of interferon—alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ)—have been recognized. These interferons have been classified into two types: type I includes the alpha and beta forms, and type II consists of the gamma form. This division is based on the type of cell that produces the…

Alpha interferon is produced by white blood cells other than lymphocytes, beta interferon by fibroblasts, and gamma interferon by natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (killer T cells). All interferons inhibit viral replication by interfering with the transcription of viral nucleic acid.

…made possible the development of interferon-α, which is effective in the majority of patients when injected into the lesion itself or subcutaneously below it.

…of antiviral medications, namely pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin. Response rates to these drugs vary according to a number of factors, including treatment regimen, HCV genotype, the severity of liver disease, and the patient’s genetic makeup. Other antivirals, such as boceprevir and telaprevir, may be used along with interferon and…

…are three classes of interferons: α-interferons, produced by blood leukocytes; β-interferons, produced by tissue cells and fibroblasts; and γ-interferons (also called immune interferons or interleukins), produced by immune reactions in blood lymphocytes. Interferons are now known to be a subset of a large group of natural cellular substances called cytokines