Abstract
Interferons are soluble proteins produced naturally by cells in response to viruses. It has both anti-proliferative and immunomodulating properties and is one of the first examples of a biological response modifier use to treat the hematological malignancy multiple myeloma. Interferon has been used in this clinical practice for over thirty years. However, despite considerable efforts, numerous clinical trials and two large meta-analysis, its exact role in the management of multiple myeloma still remains unclear. Its role in the treatment of multiple myeloma has been as a single induction agent, a co-induction agent with other chemotherapy regimens, and as maintenance therapy after conventional chemotherapy or complete remission after autologous or allogeneic transplantation. Interferon as a single induction agent or co-induction agent with other chemotherapy agents appears only to have minimal benefit in myeloma. Its role as maintenance therapy in the plateau phase of myeloma also remains uncertain. More recently, the use of interferon must now compete with the “new drugs” – thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib in myeloma treatment. Will there be a future role of interferon in the treatment of multiple myeloma or will interferon be resigned to the history books remains to be seen.
Keywords: Interferon, immunomodulating, inflammation genes, maintenance, side effects, single agent, co-induction agent, multiple myeloma, plasma cells
Current Drug Targets
Title: Interferon-Alpha in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Volume: 12 Issue: 3
Author(s): Teh Liane Khoo, Annette Juul Vangsted, Douglas Joshua and John Gibson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Interferon, immunomodulating, inflammation genes, maintenance, side effects, single agent, co-induction agent, multiple myeloma, plasma cells
Abstract: Interferons are soluble proteins produced naturally by cells in response to viruses. It has both anti-proliferative and immunomodulating properties and is one of the first examples of a biological response modifier use to treat the hematological malignancy multiple myeloma. Interferon has been used in this clinical practice for over thirty years. However, despite considerable efforts, numerous clinical trials and two large meta-analysis, its exact role in the management of multiple myeloma still remains unclear. Its role in the treatment of multiple myeloma has been as a single induction agent, a co-induction agent with other chemotherapy regimens, and as maintenance therapy after conventional chemotherapy or complete remission after autologous or allogeneic transplantation. Interferon as a single induction agent or co-induction agent with other chemotherapy agents appears only to have minimal benefit in myeloma. Its role as maintenance therapy in the plateau phase of myeloma also remains uncertain. More recently, the use of interferon must now compete with the “new drugs” – thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib in myeloma treatment. Will there be a future role of interferon in the treatment of multiple myeloma or will interferon be resigned to the history books remains to be seen.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Liane Khoo Teh, Juul Vangsted Annette, Joshua Douglas and Gibson John, Interferon-Alpha in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma, Current Drug Targets 2011; 12 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945011794815329
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945011794815329 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Role of Anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a in Regulating Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway Specific Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy to Sensitize Cancer Cells to Anti-Cancer Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Folate Receptor Targeted Liposomes Encapsulating Anti-Cancer Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Dual Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in Cancer Biology
Current Medicinal Chemistry Insights into the Structural Features Essential for JAK2 Inhibition and Selectivity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Electrochemical Indicators for DNA Electroanalysis
Current Analytical Chemistry Zinc, Metallothioneins and Longevity: Interrelationships with Niacin and Selenium
Current Pharmaceutical Design The HOX Genes Network in Uro-Genital Cancers: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Implications
Current Medicinal Chemistry NMN/NaMN Adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) and NAD Kinase (NADK) Inhibitors: Chemistry and Potential Therapeutic Applications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Targets in Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Where are we now?
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Overcoming the Drug Resistance Problem with Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: From Enzymology to Structural Models
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Patents on Proteasome Inhibitors of Natural Origin
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Microenvironmental Regulation of Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Implications of Somatic Mutations in the AML1/RUNX1 Gene in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): Future Molecular Therapeutic Directions for MDS
Current Cancer Drug Targets A Review on Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Activities of Natural Honey
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Developments on 1,2,4-Triazole Nucleus in Anticancer Compounds: A Review
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Uric Acid and Hypertension
Current Pharmaceutical Design Understanding Mesenchymal Cancer: The Liposarcoma-Associated t(12;16) (q13;;p11) Chromosomal Translocation as a Model
Current Genomics Exploitation of Apoptosis Pathways for Childhood Leukemia
Current Pediatric Reviews Small Molecule Aurora Kinases Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry