Interferon alfa-2b

Interferon alfa-2b
	1RH2 Recombinant Human Interferon-Alpha 2b-02.png
INN
Drug class
Routes of administration	Intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous
Pregnancy category
Bioavailability
Metabolism
Elimination half-life	2-3 hours
Excretion	Renal
Legal status
CAS Number	99210-65-8
PubChem	135346
DrugBank	DB00011
ChemSpider
KEGG	D00743

Interferon alfa-2b is a recombinant protein used in the treatment of various viral infections and cancer. It is a type of interferon, which are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and tumor cells. Interferon alfa-2b is produced using recombinant DNA technology and is marketed under the brand name Intron A.

Medical uses[edit]

Interferon alfa-2b is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Mechanism of action[edit]

Interferon alfa-2b works by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells, initiating a complex signaling pathway that leads to the expression of numerous genes. These genes are involved in:

Inhibiting viral replication
Enhancing the immune response
Inhibiting cell proliferation
Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death)

Administration[edit]

Interferon alfa-2b can be administered via several routes, including:

Side effects[edit]

Common side effects of interferon alfa-2b include:

Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches)
Fatigue
Depression
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Hair loss

History[edit]

Interferon alfa-2b was one of the first recombinant proteins to be approved for medical use. It was developed in the 1980s and has since been used to treat millions of patients worldwide.

Related pages[edit]

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