Interferon alfa-2b
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| MedlinePlus | a690006 |
| License data | |
| Routes of administration | Subcutaneous, intramuscular |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Identifiers | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.208.165 |
  (what is this?) (verify) | |
Interferon alfa-2b is an antiviral or
It has been used for a wide range of indications, including viral infections and cancers. This drug is approved around the world for the treatment of chronic
The medication is being used in clinical trials to treat patients with SARS-CoV-2[5] and there are published results in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.[6]
So far, two non-peer reviewed research articles have been published. One study at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, showed evidence of a direct anti-viral effect of Interferon alpha against novel Coronavirus in vitro. The study demonstrated around 10,000 fold reduction in the quantity of virus that was pre-treated with Interferon alpha 48 hours earlier. A second study by universities in China, Australia and Canada analysed 77 moderate COVID-19 subjects in Wuhan and observed that those who received Interferon alpha-2b showed a significant reduction in the duration of virus shedding period and even in levels of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-6. [7] [8]
This drug is also used off-label in cats and dogs, both by injection and orally.[9] The cross-species nature of IFN-α allow it to work in non-human animals,[10] but the period of usefulness is limited by the production of antibodies against this foreign protein.[9]
| Interferon alfa-2b products[11] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Manufacturer | Features | Special uses |
| Alpharona | Pharmaclon | ||
| Intron-A/IntronA | Schering-Plough | ||
| Realderon | Teva
|
||
| Reaferon EC | GNC Vector | ||
| Reaferon EC-Lipint | Vector-Medica | liposomal
|
|
| Infagel | Vector-Medica | ointment | |
| Recolin | Vector-Medica | ||
| Altevir | Bioprocess subsidiary | liquid, free of HSA | |
| Kipferon | Alfarm | combination with IgA, IgG
|
|
| Giaferon | A/S Vitafarma | ||
| Genferon | Biocad | ||
| Opthalamoferon | Firn-M | with dimedrol
|
eye infections |
| Heberon Alfa R | BioCubaFarma, Cuban-Chinese joint venture ChangHeber[12][13] | Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)[14]
| |
See also
References
- S2CID 4310807.
- ISBN 978-3-0348-8346-7.
- PMID 6157600.
- ISSN 1027-2852.
- ^ O'Connor T (March 24, 2020). "Cuba uses "wonder drug" to fight coronavirus around the world despite U.S. sanctions". Newsweek.
- S2CID 229324680.
- ^ "Zydus to test use of Hepatitis C medicine for virus". The Times of India. 21 April 2020.
- ^ "BRIEF-Zydus Explores Biologicals Route to Treat Coronavirus with Interferon Alpha-2B". Reuters. 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b Forney B. "Interferon Alpha-2B for Veterinary Use". Wedgewood Pharmacy. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19.
- PMID 17316139.
- S2CID 26770545. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
- ^ Makichuk D (18 April 2020). "Covid contenders: Viral drugs that offer hope". Asia Times.
- ^ "The famous Cuban interferon vs the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus". 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Medikament aus Kuba zur Behandlung des Coronavirus bald auch in Deutschland?". 30 March 2020.
Further reading
- "Intron-A Summary of Product Characteristics" (PDF). European Medicines Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-07.
- Nagata S, Taira H, Hall A, Johnsrud L, Streuli M, Ecsödi J, et al. (March 1980). "Synthesis in E. coli of a polypeptide with human leukocyte interferon activity". Nature. 284 (5754): 316–320. S2CID 4310807.
External links
