Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Biologic response modifiers: the interferon alfa experience.

¹College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Austin.

American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy

|November 1, 1989

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Fax technology for collecting outcomes data in a computer database.

American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists·1999

Same author

Recommendations for the use of antiemetics: evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines. American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·1999

Same author

Economic analysis of carboplatin versus cisplatin in lung and ovarian cancer.

PharmacoEconomics·1999

Same author

Procedure costs and outcomes associated with pharmacologic management of peripheral arterial disease in the Department of Defense.

Clinical therapeutics·1999

Same author

Clinical guidelines for the treatment of cancer-related anemia.

Pharmacotherapy·1998

Same author

Recombinant interleukin-2.

Pharmacotherapy·1994

Same journal

National health care reform, Part 2: Response to pharmacists.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

Same journal

Validity of originality assessment.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

Same journal

Unit dose dispensing of chromic phosphate P 32 suspension.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

Same journal

Hydralazine injection still available.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

Same journal

Improved extemporaneous formulation of cyclosporine ophthalmic drops.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

Same journal

Paclitaxel diluent and the case of the slippery spike.

American journal of hospital pharmacy·1994

See all related articles

Interferon alfa demonstrates antitumor and immune effects, treating various cancers like leukemia and Kaposi's sarcoma. Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing its toxicities and educating patients on biologic response modifiers (BRMs).

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Pharmacology

Background:

Interferons possess direct antitumor activity and modulate the immune system.
Two recombinant interferon alfa products, alfa-2a and alfa-2b, are commercially available.
Interferon alfa is approved for hairy-cell leukemia, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and genital warts, with off-label use in other malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the effects and toxicities of interferon alfa.
To discuss the pharmacist's role in managing biologic response modifiers (BRMs).

Main Methods:

Review of interferon alfa's therapeutic applications and adverse effects.
Discussion of pharmacist responsibilities in BRM management.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

Interferon alfa is effective against a range of hematologic and solid tumors.
Common toxicities include flu-like symptoms, anorexia, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, myelosuppression, and CNS effects.
Neutralizing antibodies can form, potentially impacting clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

Pharmacists are essential in educating patients and healthcare professionals about interferon alfa and other BRMs.
Key areas for pharmacist involvement include cost, product differences, dosing, adverse effect management, and drug interactions.