| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [Uses]
Antineoplastic;
biological response modifier. | [Indications]
Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) is a recombinant DNA
product derived from the interferon alfa-2b gene of human
white blood cells. Its mechanism of antitumor action
involves binding to a plasma membrane receptor
but is otherwise poorly understood. Its serum half-life is
2 to 3 hours after parenteral administration. | [Brand name]
Intron A (Schering);
Intron A HSA-free (Schering). | [General Description]
Interferon alfa-2b, Intron A, a water-soluble protein of165 amino acids and an approximate molecular mass of19,200 Da, is expressed from a recombinant strain of E. coli.This interferon molecule possesses an arginine at position23 and a histidine at position 34.Interferon alfa-2b is a broad-spectrum agent. It is indicatedfor hairy cell leukemia, condyloma acuminata (genital or venereal warts), AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, and chronichepatitis B and C infections.Intron A can be administered by the SC, IM, or IV routes,by infusion or by intralesional routes. The dose is 1 to 35 millionIU/day, depending on the application. The drug is suppliedas a solution or as a powder for solution, and both formscontain albumin, glycine, and sodium phosphate buffer.Hence, they should not be shaken. Vials of solution should bestored at 2°C to 8°C without freezing. The powder is stablefor 18 months at room temperature or 7 days at 45°C. | [Clinical Use]
Interferon alfa-2b is useful in the treatment of a rare
form of chronic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, in which
it produces remissions in 60 to 80% of patients. However,
it has minimal antitumor activity in most human
cancers.Remissions lasting a few months have been observed
in 10 to 20% of patients with lymphomas, multiple
myeloma, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and
ovarian carcinoma. | [Side effects]
The adverse effects of interferon alfa-2b include fever
and a flulike syndrome of muscle ache, fatigue, headache,
anorexia, and nausea. Other less common side effects include
leukopenia, diarrhea, dizziness, and skin rash. | [Drug interactions]
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Aminophylline and theophylline: metabolism of
aminophylline and theophylline reduced, consider
reducing dose of aminophylline and theophylline
.
Antivirals: increased risk of peripheral neuropathy
with telbivudine
.
Immunosuppressants, e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus,
sirolimus may have an antagonistic effect.
Administration of interferon in combination with
other chemotherapeutic agents, e.g. cytarabine,
cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin may lead to
increased risk of severe toxicity. | [Metabolism]
Alpha-interferons are totally filtered through the
glomeruli and undergo rapid proteolytic degradation
during tubular reabsorption, rendering a negligible
reappearance of intact alfa interferon in the systemic
circulation. |
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