Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2-macroglobulin are amongst the best known proteins whose synthesis is
also induced in a variety of cell types in response to various interferons.
Additional studies focus upon identifi cation and characterization of gene products whose cel-
lular levels are decreased in response to interferon binding. For example, studies using various
human and animal cell lines found that IFN-
MHC antigens and
β
α
and -
β
can induce a signifi cant decrease in the level
of c-myc and c-fos mRNA in some cells. IFN-
has also been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis
in fi broblasts and chondrocytes. Such studies, elucidating the function of gene products whose cel-
lular levels are altered by interferons, will eventually lead to a more complete picture of how these
regulatory molecules induce their characteristic effects.
γ
8.3 Interferon biotechnology
The antiviral and anti-proliferative activity of interferons, as well as their ability to modulate the immune
and infl ammatory response renders obvious their potential medical application. This has culminated
in the approval for clinical use of several interferon preparations (Table 8.8). Ongoing clinical trials are
likely to expand the medical uses of these regulatory molecules further over the next few years.
While at least some of these potential therapeutic applications were appreciated as far back as
the late 1950s, initial therapeutic application was rendered impractical due to the extremely low
Table 8.8
Interferon-based biopharmaceuticals approved to date for general medical use
Product
Company
Indication
Intron A (rIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Cancer, genital warts, hepatitis
PegIntron A (PEGylated rIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Chronic hepatitis C
Viraferon (rIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Chronic hepatitis B and C
ViraferonPeg (PEGylated rIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Chronic hepatitis C
Roferon A (rhIFN-
α
-2a)
Hoffman-La-Roche
Hairy cell leukaemia
Actimmune (rhIFN-
γ
-1b)
Genentech
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)
Betaferon (rIFN-
-1b, differs from
human protein in that Cys 17 is
replaced by Ser)
β
Schering AG
MS
Betaseron (rIFN-
-1b, differs from
human protein in that Cys 17 is
replaced by Ser)
β
Berlex Laboratories and
Chiron
Relapsing-remitting MS
Avonex (rh I F N-
β
-1a)
Biogen
Relapsing MS
Infergen (rIFN-
α
, synthetic type I
Amgen (USA)
Ya m a nouch i E u r o p e ( E U )
Chronic hepatitis C
interferon)
Rebif (rhIFN-
β
-1a)
Ares Serono
Relapsing-remitting MS
Rebetron (combination of ribavirin
and rhIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Chronic hepatitis C
Alfatronol (rhIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Hepatitis B, C, and various cancers
Virtron (rhIFN-α-2b)
Schering Plough
Hepatitis B and C
Pegasys (Peginterferon α-2a)
Hoffman La Roche
Hepatitis C
Vibragen Omega (rFeline interferon
omega)
Virbac
Vet. (reduce mortality/clinical signs of
canine parvovirosis)
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