Biologic response modifiers interferon

Drug(s) Biologic response modifiers Interferons Interferon alfa-2a [Roferon-A] Interferon alfa-2b [Intron-A] Primary Antineoplastic Indication(s) Hairy-cell leukemia Kaposi sarcoma chronic myelocytic leukemia renal and bladder cancers Common Adverse Effects Flulike syndrome [mild fever, chills, malaise]... 

The client with multiple sclerosis is being treated with the biologic response modifier interferon beta-la (Avonex). Which diagnostic test would the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the medication ... 

Which statement is the scientific rationale for administering the biologic response modifier interferon (Intron A) to a client diagnosed with hepatitis C ... 

Agents which enhance the host s response against neoplasias or force them to differentiate are termed biological response modifiers. Examples include interleukin 2 which is used to treat renal cell carcinoma, interferon a which is active against hematologic neoplasias, and tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) which is a powerful inducer of differentiation in certain leukemia cells by acting on retinoid receptors. Side effects include influenza like symptoms, changes in blood pressure and edema. 

Cytokines and biological response modifiers represent a broad class of therapeutic agents that modify the hosts response to cancer or cancer therapies. The enormous body information about their clinical uses and their side effects is beyond the scope of this essay that can only give illustrative examples. For an up-to-date information the reader can resort to reference [5]. As many as 33 different interleukins are known and the list continues to grow IL-2 used in the treatment of kidney cancer is one example. Interferon alpha is used for chronic myelogenous leukeia, hairy cell leukaemia and Kaposi s sarcoma. Interferons are also used in the treatment of chronic infections such as viral hepatitis. Tumor necrosis factor (alpha), G/GM/M-CSF, and several other cellular factors are used in treatment of various cancers. Many of these cytokines produce serious side effects that limit their use. 

Biological response modifiers glatiramer acetate interferon beta-la interferon beta-lb... 

Interferon A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body s natural response to disease). 

Interferon a - biological response modifier in cancer treatment... 

Finally, biological response modifiers should be mentioned. Immunostimulants, a concept predating this century, are making a modern-day comeback with intensive research of interferons, interleukin, and synthetic polynucleotides. Studies involving interleukin-2 described significant responses in patients with melanoma, colorectal, kidney, and lung cancers. This and other stimulant factors are now in clinical use (see Chapter 15). 

Interferon, a biological response modifier with antineoplas-tic properties, is indicated in the treatment of condylomata acuminata (see also Figure 107). 

Biological response modifiers Antibodies Interferon-alfa, interleukin 2 Hairy cell leukemia Kaposi s sarcoma melanoma carcinoid renal ceU ovary bladder non-Hodgkin s lymphoma mycosis fungoides multiple myeloma chronic myelogenous leukemia malignant melanoma... 

Recent Advances in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections with Interferons and Other Biological Response Modifiers Orjan Strannegard... 

The client with hepatitis is being treated with interferon alfa (Roferon), a biologic response modifier. Which information should the clinic nurse discuss with the client ... 

Interferon A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body s natural response to disease). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases. [NIH]... 

With regard to the biological response modifiers, a synergism exists between retinoids and interferons, already demonstrated in vitro for several neoplasms, comprising ER breast cancer... 

Kinetic studies are important for the safety evaluation of interferons and interleukins. Both pharmaco- and toxicokinetics have been evaluated in single- and, in some cases, multiple-dose studies. Use of pharmacodynamic endpoints or serum markers of biological response are especially important in those cases where the serum levels are lower than the limits of detection of the assay for the test material. In addition, studies to investigate the accumulation of (modified) products with long half-lives in relation to the dosing regimen are useful. Tissue distribution studies have not been components of the safety evaluation of interferons and interleukins. 

Figure 2 Interrelationship of interferon-inducible ELR" CXC chemokines with Thl cytokine/cell-mediated immunity. The biology of interferon-inducible ELR" CXC chemokines in the inhibition of angiogenesis is linked to cell-mediated immunity. This highlights the importance of an appropriate immune response to tumor-associated antigens, and the subsequent generation of angiostatic factors that can further modify local tumor-associated angiogenesis.

---