interferon alpha 2

Interferon alpha 2 is a recombinant protein belonging to the type I interferons. It is produced using recombinant DNA technology and exists in two main forms—interferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b—which differ by a single amino acid. Interferon alpha 2 acts as an immunomodulator with antiviral and antineoplastic properties. Its mechanism involves binding to cell surface receptors (type I IFN receptors), leading to activation of intracellular signaling pathways that enhance the immune response against viruses and tumor cells. It inhibits viral replication within host cells and modulates immune system activity by increasing macrophage activity and cytotoxicity of lymphocytes for target cells. Interferon alpha 2 is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C infections, hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma (as adjuvant therapy), follicular lymphoma (in combination regimens), AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, genital warts (condylomata acuminata), myeloproliferative neoplasms such as essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera (off-label/clinical use), as well as certain ophthalmic diseases[1][4][6][7].

Brand names

Intron ARoferon A

Other names

interferon alfa-2interferon alfa-2ainterferon alfa-2brecombinant human interferon alpha 2rIFN-alpha-2arIFN-alpha2arIFN-alpha 2arIFN-alpha-2brIFN-alpha2brIFN-alpha 2b