The family of interferon (IFN) proteins has now more than reached the potential envisioned by early discovering virologists: IFNs are not only antivirals with a spectrum of clinical effectiveness against both RNA and DNA viruses, but are also the prototypic biological response modifiers for oncology, and show effectiveness in suppressing manifestations of multiple sclerosis. Studies of IFNs have resulted in fundamental insights into cellular signalling mechanisms, gene transcription and innate and acquired immunity. Further elucidation of the multitude of IFN-induced genes, as well as drug development strategies targeting IFN production via the activation of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), will almost certainly lead to newer and more efficacious therapeutics. Our goal is to offer a molecular and clinical perspective that will enable IFNs or their TLR agonist inducers to reach their full clinical potential.

Interferons at age 50: past, current and future impact on biomedicine.

The incidence of basal cell carcinoma is rapidly increasing and a number of treatment modalities are available. Treatment of basal cell carcinoma includes both surgical and nonsurgical approaches, some of which are traditional, and others experimental. The treatment modality utilized is dependent on both the tumor type and the patient. In order to choose between therapies, evidence-based research is necessary. In an extensive review of the literature concerning treatment options for patients with basal cell carcinoma, we found that there are a limited number of comparative, prospective, randomized, long-term follow-up studies. Based on the results of the available studies, surgical excision, Mohs surgery and cryosurgery are the three standard therapies of choice. Other treatment modalities should be considered secondary choices. There are also promising new treatment options, such as photodynamic therapy, which need further investigation. Special attention is needed when treating the more aggressive subtypes of the disease, such as the micronodular, infiltrative, adenoid and morpheic forms of basal cell carcinoma, as well as bigger basal cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinoma recurrences.

Basal cell carcinoma: treatment options and prognosis, a scientific approach to a common malignancy.

The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Albumin Fusion Proteins

The epidemiology of human papillomavirus infections.

https://www.sld.cu/galerias/pdf/sitios/revsalud/are_the_clinical-effects-of-homoeopathy_placebo-effects.pdf

Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy

Current therapy for condylomata acuminata (genital warts) is not consistently effective. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind trial to compare interferon alpha-2b with placebo in the treatment of this disorder. Our rationale was that interferon has both antiproliferative and antiviral properties. The placebo or interferon (1x106 IU) was injected directly into one to three warts three times weekly for three weeks. The injections were well tolerated by both groups of patients. The side effects of fever, chills, myalgia, headache, fatigue, and leukopenia occurred more commonly in the interferon group than in the placebo group, but such effects rarely disrupted daily routines. Only 13 of 296 patients (4 percent) discontinued therapy because of side effects (11 in the interferon group and 2 in the placebo group). Twenty-six other patients were excluded from analysis because of a loss to follow-up or other deviations from protocol, thus leaving 257 patients in the final evaluation. At one...

Interferon Therapy for Condylomata Acuminata

In a clinical trial of 172 patients at four medical centers, interferon alfa-2b (1.5 × 10 6 IU) or a placebo was injected directly into biopsy-proved noduloulcerative or superficial basal cell carcinomas three times weekly for 3 weeks, for a cumulative dose of 13.5 million IU. Efficacy of treatment was determined at 16 to 20 weeks by examination of biopsy specimens that demonstrated cure of lesions in 86% of interferon-treated patients and in only 29% of placebo-treated patients. During the treatment course and follow-up, an initial inflammatory response was observed at the treatment sites, followed by diminished erythema, improvement in overall appearance, and a decrease in size of lesions. Side effects of treatment, mainly flulike symptoms, were usually mild and transient and occurred more commonly in the interferon-treated group. Only three patients, all in the interferon-treated group, discontinued therapy because of side effects. One year after initiation of therapy, 81 % of interferon recipients and 20% of those given the placebo remained tumor free. Noduloulcerative and superficial lesions were equally responsive to treatment with interferon. For some patients with noduloulcerative or superficial basal cell carcinomas, intralesional interferon alfa-2b may be an alternative, effective treatment.

https://www.jaad.org/article/0190-9622(90)70276-N/pdf

Intralesional interferon therapy for basal cell carcinoma.

Eight patients with basal cell carcinomas were treated with recombinant alpha-2 interferon. Each patient had a biopsy-proved basal call carcinoma of the nodular or superficial type that was injected intralesionally three times a week for 3 weeks (9 total injections) with 1.5 × 10 6 IU (0.15 ml) of alpha-2 interferon per injection (total dose, 13.5 × 10 6 IU). Excisional biopsy 2 months after completion of therapy revealed no evidence of basal cell carcinoma in any patient. Minimal side effects were observed. In these eight patients alpha-2 interferon was therefore an effective and safe modality of treatment. The encouraging results of this pilot study suggest that additional evaluation of interferon in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma is warranted.

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with intralesional interferon

The effect of [α-α-α-trifluoro-2- methyl-4'-nitro-m-propionotoluidide], flutamide, on 3H-testosterone and 3H-dihydrotestosterone uptake and metabolism in rat ventral prostate and semial vesicle has been studied and compared to cyproterone acetate. Testosterone-treated castrated rats were given an oral dose of 15 mg/kg of either drug for 3–7 days; neither agent suppressed 3H-testosterone uptake by the tissue at 60 min following an intraperitoneal injection of the labeled steroid given 24 hr after the last dose of drug. Both, however, fully antagonized the effect of testosterone on maintaining prostate and seminal vesicle weights in these rats. In contrast to these results both flutamide and cyproterone acetate, administered p. o. at IS mg/kg/4 days, markedly inhibited 3H-testosterone uptake and retention by prostate and prostate nuclei when labeled androgen was given 3 hr following the last dose of the drug. Similarly, a single dose of these drugs co-administered via ip injection with either 3H-testosteron...

Edwin A. Peets

Papers

Interferon Therapy for Condylomata Acuminata

Intralesional interferon therapy for basal cell carcinoma.

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with intralesional interferon

On the Mechanism of the Anti-androgenic Action ofFlutamide (α-α-α-Trifluoro-2-methyl-4'-nitro-m-propionotoluidide)in the Rat

Plasma binding of betamethasone3H, dexamethasone-3H, and cortisol-14C— A comparative study