Interferons: basic research, clinical studies, and their support

Interferon research has recently made great progress. Interferons are now seen to be a family of agents, each with its own chemical and immunologic characteristics. Clinically, research using the techniques of recombinant DNA has made interferons available in quantities sufficient to perform full clinical trials in patients with various viral diseases and cancers. Interferon research promises to be an exciting and fruitful field in years ahead; however, efforts to study interferon may be hamstrung by a shortage of funds for basic research.

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