Interferons

Interferons (IFNs) are glycoproteins produced by the cells of the immune system in response to challenges by foreign agents such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumor cells.   Interferons assist the immune response by inhibiting viral replication within other cells of the body. Recombinant or synthetic interferons (e.g., i. alfa-2a, i. alfa-2b, i. alfa-n1, i. alfa-n3, i. alfacon-1, i. beta-1a, i. beta-1b, i. gamma-1b ) are used as antineoplastics and biological response modifiers.