Interferon (definition of)

Interferon is actually a natural biochemical element of the immune system that is activated in the presence of a virus. This protein has been genetically engineered for cancer treatments.

Although interferon is essentially the same protein as is found in the human immune system, the FDA classifies this as a "biopharmaceutical" - that is, a medical drug derived from a biological source. It is currently a major form of immunotherapy for cancer.

Mechanism

Interferon appears to inhibit cancer cells' ability to grow and multiply by restricting the blood supply available to them. At the same time, it stimulates the immune system to fight cancer, like mesothelioma (peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma), by promoting the production of "killer T cells."

Interferon is usually injected into the bloodstream, typically three times a week. Side-effects may include:

• Fatigue
• Chills and/or Fever
• Diarrhea
• Anorexia
• Headache

These tend to lessen as the treatment progresses, however.