Interferon

The human body produces certain substances, called immunomodulators, which affect the functioning of the immune system. Two of these substances are known to have cancer-fighting capabilities.

As nonspecific antiviral agents, interferons inhibit intracellular viral replication and are synthesized by cells in response to viral infection. Other interferon characteristics are discussed here.

The Lupus Foundation of America has estimated that more than 15000 people in the US are diagnosed with lupus each year.

They believe that this discovery could be the answer to improving the current antiviral treatments or could even lead to new treatments that will be more effective and have fewer side effects.

The results of a phase 2 clinical trial show that daclizumab in combination with interferon beta therapy reduces the development or new or enlarged lesions in the brain of individuals suffering with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Explore the beneficial effects and primary purposes of a fever and why you should avoid suppressing a fever unless warranted.

In "House" Season 7 Episode 7 "A Pox on Our House," an 18th century tragedy involving a slave ship filled with unwilling and diseased passengers results in a 21st century tragedy involving a jar, a cut hand, and something resembling small pox.

Becoming severely disabled is a constant fear of MS patients, medications help them combat the symptoms and the disease.

Many drugs have psychiatric side effects including interferon, steroids, cycloserine, etc. Interferon appears to do this by increasing tryptophan metabolism. This appears to cause depression.