Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses
10:10

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

Published on: November 16, 2016

Interferon-lambda as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer treatment

Håkan C Steen1, Ana M Gamero

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research : the Official Journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
|July 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Type I interferons (IFNs) show promise in cancer treatment but cause toxicity. Type III IFNs (IFN-lambda) offer a potentially less toxic alternative for specific cancers due to targeted receptor expression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Type I interferons (IFN-alpha/beta) were initially promising anticancer drugs.
  • Severe toxicity and resistance limited the clinical use of IFN-alpha/beta.
  • Type III interferons (IFN-lambda/IL-29/IL-28) share properties with Type I IFNs but utilize a distinct receptor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Type III interferons (IFN-lambda) in cancer treatment.
  • To compare the efficacy and toxicity of IFN-lambda with IFN-alpha/beta.
  • To explore the potential for IFN-lambda in treating specific malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on interferon therapy in cancer.
  • Analysis of receptor expression patterns for Type I and Type III IFNs.
  • Comparison of clinical outcomes and toxicity profiles of different interferon types.

Main Results:

  • IFN-alpha/beta therapy demonstrated efficacy but was limited by toxicity and resistance.
  • IFN-lambda utilizes a distinct receptor complex with lineage-restricted expression.
  • Evidence suggests IFN-lambda may offer a less toxic alternative for certain cancers.

Conclusions:

  • IFN-lambda represents a promising therapeutic avenue in oncology.
  • The distinct receptor usage of IFN-lambda may lead to reduced systemic toxicity compared to IFN-alpha.
  • IFN-lambda therapy could be suitable for specific malignancies where target cells express the appropriate receptor.

More Related Videos

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes10:00

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α08:26

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α

Published on: June 14, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...