Interferons and Biotechnology Quiz

Overview of Interferons and their Biotechnology

• Type I interferons have antiviral and anti-proliferative effects on various cell types, including some tumor cells.
• Type I interferons can increase natural killer (NK) and T-cytotoxic cell activity, leading to anti-tumor effects.
• Different types of type I interferons have different antiviral to anti-proliferative activity ratios.
• Type II interferon, IFN-γ, has weak antiviral and anti-proliferative activity but can potentiate the effects of type I interferons when co-administered.
• IFN-γ promotes activation, growth, and differentiation of immune and inflammatory response cells, particularly macrophages.
• Interferons were initially identified as potential therapeutics in the late 1950s but were impractical to use due to low levels in the body and species preference.
• The Namalwa cell line became the primary source of interferons for industrial production.
• Interferons were produced in significant quantities by mammalian cell culture in the late 1970s.
• Recombinant DNA technology enabled the production of large quantities of pure interferon containing a single subtype.
• Most interferons currently in medical use are recombinant human products produced by E. coli.
• Clinical studies have shown that interferons can induce regression of tumors in patients with breast cancer, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma.
• Recombinant interferons have been approved for the treatment of various cancer types, with up to 90% of patients experiencing significant regression of the cancer.