Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
10:00
High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
1990-2010: two decades of interferon-based therapy
1Liver Unit, Hospital General, Universitario Valle Hebron, Paseo Valle Hebron 119, Barcelona 08035, Spain. Mbuti@vhebron.net
Clinics in Liver Disease
|August 27, 2011
Summary
Interferon-alfa has been a cornerstone in treating chronic hepatitis C for 25 years. Advances in understanding its mechanisms and response factors ensure its continued essential role, even with new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Interferon-alfa has been a primary treatment for chronic hepatitis C for twenty-five years.
- Current standard treatment involves a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
- Significant progress has been made in understanding interferon's mechanisms and treatment response factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the enduring role of interferon-alfa in chronic hepatitis C treatment.
- To highlight advancements in understanding interferon therapy.
- To assess the future place of interferon in hepatitis C management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of interferon-alfa in hepatitis C treatment.
- Analysis of mechanistic and response-related research.
- Evaluation of current and emerging treatment paradigms.
Main Results:
- Interferon-alfa remains a critical component of chronic hepatitis C therapy.
- Enhanced understanding of interferon's action and patient response has been achieved.
- Newer therapies, including protease inhibitors, are emerging.
Conclusions:
- Despite new therapeutic options, interferon-alfa is expected to maintain its essential role in hepatitis C treatment.
- Continued research into interferon mechanisms and response prediction is crucial.
- Combination therapies involving interferon are likely to persist.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inhibitors 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...
01:22Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:26Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview
Drugs, the chemical agents used in diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases, undergo a four-phase process of development: pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic.
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...