| |
What are interferons? Interferons are members of the family of glycoproteins, classified as cytokines, which contribute to the body's natural defenses against foreign substances. They are produced and secreted naturally by human cells in response to viruses and other microbes, tumors, and antigens (foreign substances which can cause the production of antibodies). Interferons bind to specific receptors on cell surfaces. This binding initiates a series of events, including induction of specific proteins, which produce antiviral, antiproliferative, and other actions controlling the immune system.
Back To Top
Are interferons a recent discovery? Interferons were discovered in 1957. Physicians have attempted to use interferon to treat viral diseases since the 1960s, but obtaining even small, purified quantities of the substance from human blood cells proved extremely expensive at that time. In the early 1980's, new manufacturing processes allowed interferon to be produced in increased quantity and purity, providing a more reliable supply for researching its potential medical uses.
Back To Top
Is alpha interferon the only class of interferon? No. Four major classes of human interferons have been identified: alpha, beta, gamma, and omega. Thus far, alpha and beta interferons have demonstrated the greatest medical usefulness. Alpha interferons have become one of the most important classes of therapeutic products in the world. The estimated annual market for alpha interferon products now exceeds $1.5 billion worldwide.
Back To Top
Are all alpha interferon products Natural Alpha Interferon? Most of them are not. At present, the majority of the alpha interferon sold worldwide is recombinant interferon, produced by fermentation of genetically engineered bacteria. This kind of interferon can be manufactured less expensively and in larger quantities, but has demonstrated certain disadvantages not found in Natural Alpha Interferon. Hemispherx Biopharma produces the only commercially available natural-source, multispecies alpha interferon in the United States.
Back To Top
What distinguishes Natural Alpha Interferon from the recombinant kind? Natural Alpha Interferon, or Interferon Alfa-n3 (the United States Adopted Name assigned under the aegis of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia Drug Nomenclature Committee), is a natural-source, highly purified product made from human white blood cells. While Hemispherx Biopharma’s Natural Alpha Interferon consists of a specific blend of proteins containing many different molecular species of alpha interferon, recombinant interferons contain only a single protein species. Researchers report that the various natural species may have differing antiviral activities depending upon the type of virus they confront. In addition, Natural Alpha Interferon proteins produced by human cells are partially glycosylated (contain sugar molecules), whereas recombinant interferon proteins are not. These differences in molecular composition may give Natural Alpha Interferon certain advantages over recombinant products, including reduced antibody formation when used in human treatments.
Back To Top |
