Interferon alfa 2b (IFN alfa 2b) Treatment

[Yosef Landesman]

Interferons are a family of small protein molecules that are secreted by cells in response to viral infections or various synthetic and biological inducers. Interferon alfa 2b (IFN alfa 2b) boosts the immune system, causing it to attack infected or cancerous cells. In addition, IFN alfa 2b may block blood supply to a growing tumor by inhibiting angiogenesis. On July 2003 The British Journal of Cancer issued a report about a woman with advanced ASPS who had a very significant response to interferon alfa-2b therapy (Read Roozendaal et al 2003, on the ASPS Library). Here we will discuss the experience of ASPS patients who use IFN alfa 2b.

[Olga]

This is an information for anyone who is considering to try IFN alfa treatment for their metastatic ASPS. Another disease where IFN is used is RCC - renal cell carcinoma, there is a new publication with the attempt to establish the optimal schedule for IFN administration in RCC patients, as the authors found that interferon-α (IFN-α) receptor (IFNAR2) expression depends on the time of the day and has a peak expression at night, once IFN-α is administered, IFNAR2 levels showed downregulation within 48 h and recovered within another 48 h.
the abstract of the article is here:
Type-I interferon receptor expression: Its circadian rhythm and downregulation after interferon-α administration in peripheral blood cells from renal cancer patients
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 3/abstract