Antiviral effects of recombinant interferon alfa and clinical experience in viral infections

Alpha interferons act virostatically by influencing several cellular enzymes involved in virus replication. The success of treatment with biosynthetic recombinant interferon alfa-2b (rIFN alfa-2b) has been confirmed in numerous clinical studies. Following intralesional injection, up to 56% of condylomata acuminata were totally eradicated. Laryngeal papillomatosis responded favourably to systemic therapy with various alpha-interferons, demonstrating complete remissions of up to 88%. Preliminary therapeutic trials using rIFN alfa-2b in chronic viral hepatitis (B, Delta, non-A, non-B) consistently showed beneficial effects on the disease-related biochemical, virological and histological parameters. Interferon alfa-2b proved particularly effective in the early stage of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.