help button home button The Oncologist
HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow eLetters: Submit a response to this article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article link to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Reprints/Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Jonasch, E.
Right arrow Articles by Haluska, F. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Jonasch, E.
Right arrow Articles by Haluska, F. G.
The Oncologist, Vol. 6, No. 1, 34-55, February 2001
© 2001 AlphaMed Press

Interferon in Oncological Practice: Review of Interferon Biology, Clinical Applications, and Toxicities

Eric Jonasch, Frank G. Haluska

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Correspondence: Eric Jonasch, M.D., Cox 640, Division of Hematology-Oncology, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Telephone: 617-724-6582; Fax: 617-726-6974; e-mail: Ejonasch{at}partners.org

For the past 40 years, various forms of interferon (IFN) have been evaluated as therapy in a number of malignant and non-malignant diseases. With the advent of gene cloning, large quantities of pure IFN became available for clinical study. This paper reviews the biology, pharmacology, and clinical applications of IFN formulations most commonly used in oncology. It then reviews the most common side effects seen in patients treated with IFN, and makes recommendations for the management of IFN-induced toxicity.

The major oncological indications for IFN include melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, follicular lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Unfortunately, IFN therapy is associated with significant toxicity, which can be divided into constitutional, neuropsychiatric, hematologic, and hepatic effects. These toxicities have a major impact on the patient's quality of life, and on the physician's ability to optimally treat the patient. Careful attention to all aspects of patient care can result in improved tolerability of this difficult but promising therapy. Conclusion: a better understanding of IFN biology, indications, side effect profiles, and toxicity management will aid in optimizing its use in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Key Words. Interferon • Cancer • Clinical applications • Toxicity • Management




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
J. F. Mushinski, P. Nguyen, L. M. Stevens, C. Khanna, S. Lee, E. J. Chung, M.-J. Lee, Y. S. Kim, W. M. Linehan, M. A. Horisberger, et al.
Inhibition of Tumor Cell Motility by the Interferon-inducible GTPase MxA
J. Biol. Chem., May 29, 2009; 284(22): 15206 - 15214.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 The OncologistHome page
S. Biswas, J. Kelly, and T. Eisen
Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Perspectives in the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Era
Oncologist, January 1, 2009; 14(1): 52 - 59.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 The OncologistHome page
L. Dal Lago, V. D'Hondt, and A. Awada
Selected Combination Therapy with Sorafenib: A Review of Clinical Data and Perspectives in Advanced Solid Tumors
Oncologist, August 1, 2008; 13(8): 845 - 858.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CarcinogenesisHome page
D. M. van Leeuwen, M. Pedersen, P. J.M. Hendriksen, A. Boorsma, M. H.M. van Herwijnen, R. W.H. Gottschalk, M. Kirsch-Volders, L. E. Knudsen, R. J. Sram, E. Bajak, et al.
Genomic analysis suggests higher susceptibility of children to air pollution
Carcinogenesis, May 1, 2008; 29(5): 977 - 983.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
J. Lechner, N. Malloth, T. Seppi, B. Beer, P. Jennings, and W. Pfaller
IFN-{alpha} induces barrier destabilization and apoptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelium
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, January 1, 2008; 294(1): C153 - C160.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
T. Morikawa, A. Sugiyama, H. Kume, S. Ota, T. Kashima, K. Tomita, T. Kitamura, T. Kodama, M. Fukayama, and H. Aburatani
Identification of Toll-Like Receptor 3 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Clin. Cancer Res., October 1, 2007; 13(19): 5703 - 5709.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
C. W. Ryan, B. H. Goldman, P. N. Lara Jr, P. C. Mack, T. M. Beer, C. M. Tangen, D. Lemmon, C.-X. Pan, H. A. Drabkin, and E. D. Crawford
Sorafenib With Interferon Alfa-2b As First-Line Treatment of Advanced Renal Carcinoma: A Phase II Study of the Southwest Oncology Group
J. Clin. Oncol., August 1, 2007; 25(22): 3296 - 3301.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BloodHome page
J. C. Ramos, P. Ruiz Jr, L. Ratner, I. M. Reis, C. Brites, C. Pedroso, G. E. Byrne Jr, N. L. Toomey, V. Andela, E. W. Harhaj, et al.
IRF-4 and c-Rel expression in antiviral-resistant adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Blood, April 1, 2007; 109(7): 3060 - 3068.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
M. Parton, M. Gore, and T. Eisen
Role of Cytokine Therapy in 2006 and Beyond for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer
J. Clin. Oncol., December 10, 2006; 24(35): 5584 - 5592.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Gen. Virol.Home page
C. Hohle, A. Karger, P. Konig, K. Giesow, and G. M. Keil
High-level expression of biologically active bovine alpha interferon by Bovine herpesvirus 1 interferes only marginally with recombinant virus replication in vitro
J. Gen. Virol., October 1, 2005; 86(10): 2685 - 2695.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
N. Caraccio, A. Dardano, F. Manfredonia, L. Manca, L. Pasquali, A. Iudice, L. Murri, E. Ferrannini, and F. Monzani
Long-Term Follow-Up of 106 Multiple Sclerosis Patients Undergoing Interferon-{beta} 1a or 1b Therapy: Predictive Factors of Thyroid Disease Development and Duration
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 4133 - 4137.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
N. Caraccio, R. Giannini, S. Cuccato, P. Faviana, P. Berti, D. Galleri, A. Dardano, F. Basolo, E. Ferrannini, and F. Monzani
Type I Interferons Modulate the Expression of Thyroid Peroxidase, Sodium/Iodide Symporter, and Thyroglobulin Genes in Primary Human Thyrocyte Cultures
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2005; 90(2): 1156 - 1162.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Cancer Res.Home page
I. Pitha-Rowe, W. J. Petty, Q. Feng, P. H. Koza-Taylor, D. A. DiMattia, L. Pinder, K. H. Dragnev, N. Memoli, V. Memoli, T. Turi, et al.
Microarray Analyses Uncover UBE1L as a Candidate Target Gene for Lung Cancer Chemoprevention
Cancer Res., November 1, 2004; 64(21): 8109 - 8115.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
K. Schroder, P. J. Hertzog, T. Ravasi, and D. A. Hume
Interferon-{gamma}: an overview of signals, mechanisms and functions
J. Leukoc. Biol., February 1, 2004; 75(2): 163 - 189.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann. Surg. Oncol.Home page
B. Damdinsuren, H. Nagano, M. Sakon, M. Kondo, T. Yamamoto, K. Umeshita, K. Dono, S. Nakamori, and M. Monden
Interferon-{beta} Is More Potent Than Interferon-{alpha} in Inhibition of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Growth When Used Alone and in Combination With Anticancer Drugs
Ann. Surg. Oncol., December 1, 2003; 10(10): 1184 - 1190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Cancer Res.Home page
E. Hartmann, B. Wollenberg, S. Rothenfusser, M. Wagner, D. Wellisch, B. Mack, T. Giese, O. Gires, S. Endres, and G. Hartmann
Identification and Functional Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Head and Neck Cancer
Cancer Res., October 1, 2003; 63(19): 6478 - 6487.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JNCI J Natl Cancer InstHome page
Z. von Marschall, A. Scholz, T. Cramer, G. Schafer, M. Schirner, K. Oberg, B. Wiedenmann, M. Hocker, and S. Rosewicz
Effects of Interferon Alpha on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Transcription and Tumor Angiogenesis
J Natl Cancer Inst, March 19, 2003; 95(6): 437 - 448.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann OncolHome page
R. F. Kefford
Adjuvant therapy of cutaneous melanoma: the interferon debate
Ann. Onc., March 1, 2003; 14(3): 358 - 365.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Cancer Res.Home page
X. Yang, M. S. Merchant, M. E. Romero, M. Tsokos, L. H. Wexler, U. Kontny, C. L. Mackall, and C. J. Thiele
Induction of Caspase 8 by Interferon {gamma} Renders Some Neuroblastoma (NB) Cells Sensitive to Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) but Reveals That a Lack of Membrane TR1/TR2 Also Contributes to TRAIL Resistance in NB
Cancer Res., March 1, 2003; 63(5): 1122 - 1129.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
H. Nakanishi, Y. Mizutani, A. Kawauchi, O. Ukimura, T. Shiraishi, M. Hatano, M. Mizuno, J. Yoshida, and T. Miki
Significant Antitumoral Activity of Cationic Multilamellar Liposomes Containing Human IFN-{beta} Gene against Human Renal Cell Carcinoma
Clin. Cancer Res., March 1, 2003; 9(3): 1129 - 1135.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ChestHome page
K. M. Antoniou, E. Ferdoutsis, and D. Bouros
Interferons and Their Application in the Diseases of the Lung
Chest, January 1, 2003; 123(1): 209 - 216.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Cancer Res.Home page
D. Duguay, F. Mercier, J. Stagg, D. Martineau, J. Bramson, M. Servant, R. Lin, J. Galipeau, and J. Hiscott
In Vivo Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 Tumor Suppressor Activity in B16 Melanoma Tumors
Cancer Res., September 15, 2002; 62(18): 5148 - 5152.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JCOHome page
M. B. Lens and M. Dawes
Interferon Alfa Therapy for Malignant Melanoma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
J. Clin. Oncol., April 1, 2002; 20(7): 1818 - 1825.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE ONCOLOGIST STEM CELLS CME ALPHAMED PRESS JOURNALS


Copyright © 2001 by AlphaMed Press.