Injection Of Interferon Alpha-2b Research Articles

Subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b for COVID-19: an observational study

BackgroundThe global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is ongoing and associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injection of interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b) combined with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in the treatment of COVID-19 infection, compared with that of using LPV/r alone.MethodsPatients diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection in Wuhan Red Cross hospital during the period from January 23, 2020 to March 19, 2020 were included. The length of stay, the time to viral clearance and adverse reactions during hospitalization were compared between patients using oral LPV/r and combined therapy of LPV/r and subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b.ResultsA total of 22 patients were treated with LPV/r alone and 19 with combined therapy with subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b. The average length of hospitalization in the combination group was shorter than that of LPV/r group (16 ± 9.7 vs 23 ± 10.5 days; P = 0.028). Moreover, the days of hospitalization in early intervention group decreased from 25 ± 8.5 days to 10 ± 2.9 days compared with delayed intervention group (P = 0.001). Combined therapy with IFN alpha-2b also significantly reduced the duration of detectable virus in the upper respiratory tract. No patient in each group was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) or died during the treatment. There was no significant difference in the adverse effect composition between two groups.ConclusionsSubcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b combined with LPV/r shortened the length of hospitalization and accelerated viral clearance in COVID-19 patients, which deserves further investigation in clinical practice.

Choroidal changes after intravitreal injection of interferon alpha-2b.

Intravitreal injection of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-α2b) is used to treat uveitis but its effect on the choroid is unknown. We histologically evaluated the choroidal changes after intravitreal injection of IFN-α2b. We compared histological samples of IFN-α2b-injected eyes to eyes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis and eyes injected with balanced salt solution (BSS) as controls. Rabbit eyes received intravitreal injections of BSS, IFN-α2b, or LPS, and enucleation was done seven days later. Choroidal changes were evaluated on histological cut sections. The thickness of the choroid was measured in micrometer and the severity of inflammation was scored. The mean maximum choroidal thickness was significantly greater in the IFN-α2b group in comparison to the LPS and BSS groups ( P < 0.001). The mean minimum choroidal thickness was also significantly greater in the IFN group compared to the BSS group ( P = 0.009). The observed changes were mainly due to vasodilation rather than interstitial fluid retention or inflammation. Mild inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the choroid of four eyes in the IFN group and of three eyes in the LPS group. No inflammation was seen in the control group. The difference in inflammatory cell infiltration between the LPS and IFN groups was not statistically significant. Significant choroidal hyperemia was present after injection of IFN-α2b. This fact may suggest for some pharmacological applications of IFN-α2b when increased choroidal circulation is needed. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved.Impact statementType I interferons are proteins that are naturally secreted by cells in response to certain stimuli. They are approved for medical use to regulate immune responses in many disease states. Our findings of increased choroidal circulation after treatment of the eye with interferon alpha-2b indicate a possible effect of this cytokine on blood circulation. This is a novel finding that needs further investigation to elucidate mechanisms and applications.

Localized pyoderma gangrenosum after interferon-alpha2b injections

Pityriasis rotunda is described as persistent, large, sharply defined circular patches of dry ichthyosiform scaling with no inflammatory changes. Pityriasis rotunda may be associated with systemic diseases (eg. hepatocellular carcinoma). We report a case of pityriasis rotunda in a 19-year-old, otherwise healthy male. The condition started one year prior to his referral. Lesions were distributed over the trunk and upper extremities. Histopathological examination revealed hyperkeratosis, absent granular layer, pigmented basal layer, pigmentary incontinence and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. PAS staining for fungi was negative. Treatment of pityriasis rotunda in this case was challenging. When there's an underlying disease, successful treatment of the original disease leads to clearance of pityriasis rotunda lesions.

Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b Therapy for Adnexal Kaposi Sarcoma

To describe a case of adnexal Kaposi's sarcoma successfully treated with intralesional interferon alpha 2b injections. Case Report. A 31 year old black Haitian male presents with severe nodular induration and erythema of both eyelids with hemorrhagic infiltration of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae, advanced on the right. Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical examination yielded the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with AIDS, started on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and systemic doxorubicin, and initially received topical 3 million IU per mL of interferon alpha-2b eyedrops (Intron-A(R), Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ) every 6 hours to the right eye for 9 weeks. This systemic therapy resulted in minimal clinical response with a CD4 count increase from 12 to 61 cells per microliter. Progressive entropion and corneal compromise on the right prompted a trial of intralesional injections of interferon alpha-2b. Over a 4 week period, 3 injections (3 million IU in 0.5mL, 1.5 million IU in 0.5mL, and 1.5 million IU in 0.5mL) were given. This resulted in a dramatic reduction in tumor burden and lid edema, an improvement in lid position, and corneal healing. Ocular adnexal and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was successfully treated with 3 adjuvant intralesional interferon alpha-2b injections leading to a dramatic decrease in tumor mass.

Interferon-alpha is a predisposing risk factor for carbamazepine-induced hyponatremia: A case of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis caused by interferon-alpha therapy

A 31-year-old man had been treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) for 6 years and warfarin with bucolome for 2 years before developing hyponatremia 7 days after an injection of interferon-alpha 2b and starting oral ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Despite the hyponatremia, urinary osmolality exceeded plasma osmolality, and urinary excretion volume decreased markedly after water loading. Restriction of water intake and administration of dimethylchlortetracycline improved the hyponatremia, and lithium therapy maintained the normonatremia for one year. The hyponatremia recovered 6 months after the interferon-alpha 2b therapy was completely stopped. In the present case, the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis may have been caused by the effect of interferon-alpha 2b on the renal distal tubules that had been sensitized by CBZ. Patients on CBZ therapy should be carefully observed for the development of hyponatremia when they are started on interferon-alpha 2b injections.

Influence of interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b) on the prevention of locally advanced bladder carcinoma in mice.

In the model of chemically induced bladder carcinoma in mice following application of betahydroxylbutylnitrosamine (BBN) we could not detect a therapeutic influence of systemic treatment with intraperitoneal injection of interferon-alpha2b (10x3x10(5) IU IFN-alpha2b) on the rate of locally advanced bladder carcinoma (IFN-alpha2b 37% versus control 41%) nor on the development of tumor precursors (severe dysplasia 100% in both groups).

Reversible cardiomyopathy in a patient with hairy cell leukaemia.

A 64-year-old man presented with severe congestive heart failure. He was diagnosed to have hairy cell leukaemia a year ago and was receiving recombinant interferon alpha-2b injections of 5x10 6...

Interferon treatment for corneolimbal squamous dysplasia

To report a patient with corneolimbal squamous dysplasia successfully treated with interferon therapy. A 78-year-old man had a gelatinous and vascularized lesion involving the left cornea and adjacent limbus. Impression cytology studied with periodic acid--Schiff-hematoxylin stain disclosed severe squamous dysplasia. Topical instillation and subconjunctival injection of interferon alpha-2b was instituted. The gelatinous tumor mass involving the cornea and adjacent limbus completely resolved 2 months after interferon treatment. He showed no sign of recurrence during the 10-month follow-up. Interferon therapy may be a therapeutic alternative for treating corneolimbal squamous dysplasia.

Interferon Alpha 2b Injections Used as an Adjuvant Therapy to Carbon Dioxide Laser Vaporization of Recalcitrant Ano-Genital Condylomata Acuminata

We retrospectively analyzed our treatment of men with anogenital condylomata acuminata (CA) at Hennepin County Medical Center and the University of Minnesota. Between October 1985 and August 1989, 48 patients with CA were treated with laser vaporization, and 27 were treated with laser vaporization followed by a series of intralesional interferon (IFN) alpha-2b injections. The patients in the IFN group were more likely to have perianal CA (44% vs 24%), had larger numbers of CA, and were more likely to have had previous treatment, including previous laser vaporization. The CA in the laser group were more likely to be on the penis alone (67% vs 45%) and had a longer mean duration. The laser-treated group experienced a 38.2% rate of recurrence or reinfection with a mean follow-up period of 13 weeks. The laser and IFN group had an 18.5% rate of recurrence or reinfection with the same follow-up. We conclude that intralesional injections of alpha-2b interferon following carbon dioxide laser vaporization of recalcitrant ano-genital condylomata substantially reduce the risk of recurrence or reinfection.