Interferons(s) belong to the class of cytokines and are glycoproteins secreted by cells of the immune system with the aim of fighting foreign elements in the body, including parasites and viruses.
There are several types of interferons, with interferon-alpha being the most commonly used as immunotherapy for cancer.
Interferon is a molecule primarily produced by certain cells of the immune system, called mononuclear cells, and it exerts its modulating effects on the immune response by stimulating the proliferation and anticellular toxicity of other immune system cells, including macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells.
Interferon promotes the cellular differentiation of certain lymphocytes, called cytotoxic “T” lymphocytes, which act by destroying tumor cells or cells infected by viruses.
Finally, interferon induces the expression of substances on the surface of tumor cells, facilitating their recognition and destruction by other cells of the immune system.
