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Active ingredient: Interferon Alfacon-1 - Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Drug Category

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunomodulatory Agents

Dosage Forms

  • Solution

Brands / Synonyms

Amgen); Infergen; Infergen (InterMune Inc ; Interferon alpha-2 precursor; Interferon alpha-A; LeIF A

Description

Consensus sequence derived Interferon alpha, differs from human interferon alpha by 20 residues (88% identical to IFN alpha 2a) (this sequence is still alfa-2a, needs to be fixed).

Indications

For treatment of hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Pharmacology

Upregulates the expression of MHC I proteins, allowing for increased presentation of peptides derived from viral antigens. This enhances the activation of CD8+ T cells that are the precursors for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and makes the macrophage a better target for CTL-mediated killing. Interferon alpha also induce the synthesis of several key antiviral mediators, including 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5' A synthetase) and protein kinase R.

Mechanism of Action

Interferon alpha binds to type I interferon receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2c) which, upon dimerization, activate two Jak (Janus kinase) tyrosine kinases (Jak1 and Tyk2). These transphosphorylate themselves and phosphorylate the receptors. The phosphorylated INFAR receptors then bind to Stat1 and Stat2 (signal transducers and activators of transcription) which dimerize and activate multiple (~100) immunomodulatory and antiviral proteins. Interferon alpha binds less stably to type I interferon receptors than interferon beta.

Absorption

Not Available

Toxicity

Not Available

Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism

Not Available

Contraindications

Not Available

Drug Interactions

Not Available

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