Citation

George PM, Badiger R, Alazawi W, Foster GR, Mitchell JA. Pharmacol. Ther. 2012; 135(1): 44-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.03.006

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Interferon (IFN) is widely recognised to be an integral part of the innate immune response to viral infection. Since its initial discovery in 1957 by Isaacs and Lindenmann, various IFN sub-types have been identified and there are now three distinct classes recognised - Type I (IFN-α and IFN-β), Type II (IFN-γ) and Type III (IFN-λ), distinguished by their differing receptors. As well as displaying profound antiviral activity in vivo, IFN has anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and anti-tumoural roles. In an attempt to harness their immunomodulatory potential, investigators and clinicians have investigated the use of IFNs for the treatment of human diseases with considerable success. For example, IFN-α preparations are now a critical component in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C infection and IFN-β therapy is now the first line treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. However, IFN therapy is also associated with significant morbidity and in some patients is poorly tolerated. In this review, we explore the scientific basis for IFN therapy and outline its therapeutic scope. We describe the commonly encountered side effects and attempt to explain the less well recognised pulmonary complications including emerging evidence of life threatening and irreversible pulmonary vascular pathology. Finally, we look to the future of interferon drug treatment, examining the potential for emerging therapies. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; depression; treatment outcome; lamivudine; morbidity; fatigue; article; mental disease; autoimmune disease; unclassified drug; virus infection; neutropenia; priority journal; thrombocytopenia; headache; neurotoxicity; osteoporosis; nonhuman; interferon; drug efficacy; drug receptor binding; drug tolerability; alpha interferon; drug withdrawal; Interferon; hepatitis C; asthma; fever; unindexed drug; rash; systemic lupus erythematosus; relapse; side effect; diabetes mellitus; asthenia; flu like syndrome; myalgia; ribavirin; Side effects; thyroiditis; remission; dyspnea; coughing; drug indication; Pharmacology; hepatitis B; multiple sclerosis; interleukin 6; pneumonia; immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein; tumor necrosis factor alpha; bone marrow suppression; lethargy; alpha2 interferon; antiviral activity; peginterferon alpha2a; peginterferon alpha2b; beta interferon; gamma interferon; virus hepatitis; treatment response; memory disorder; kidney carcinoma; lung function test; beta1a interferon; injection site reaction; in vivo study; lung toxicity; advanced cancer; immunomodulation; innate immunity; interferon beta serine; antineoplastic activity; thalidomide; myeloma; pulmonary hypertension; drug cytotoxicity; interstitial lung disease; cancer therapy; chronic myeloid leukemia; bevacizumab; Hepatitis; telaprevir; gamma1b interferon; Raynaud phenomenon; albinterferon alpha2b; fibrosing alveolitis; delta agent hepatitis; boceprevir; alpha interferon receptor; antiproliferative activity; chronic granulomatous disease; gamma interferon receptor; interleukin 28A; lung blood vessel; lung complication; mental irritation; pattern recognition receptor; peginterferon lambda; Pneumonitis; Pulmonary hypertension; toll like receptor 3; toll like receptor 7; toll like receptor 8; toll like receptor 9; ziferon