Interferon Alfa-2b Research Articles

Keratopathy in Patients with Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Modern Interferon Preparations

It is considered, that one of the main directions of treatment of adenovirus conjunctivitis is the appointment of interferon alpha-2b in combination with diphenhydramine, which until recently was provided by the only original drug. In 2020, the first generic drug, Interferon-Oftalmo, would be registered in Russia.The purpose: to evaluate and compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of treatment of patients with keratopathy against the background of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis with Interferon-Oftalmo and Oftalmoferon.Material and methods. The comparative analysis included completed cases of treatment of 51 patients (102 eyes) aged 18–75 years with clinical signs of keratopathy against the background of epidemic adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Patients of the first group (n = 27, 54 eyes) on the background of tear replacement therapy received eight instillations of the drug Interferon-Ophthalmo, the second (n = 24, 48 eyes) received Oftalmoferon. The observation period was 15 days. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of clinical symptoms of inflammation and the state of the cornea, the severity of subjective manifestations of ocular surface xerosis using the ocular surface damage index (OSDI), as well as the stability of the tear film. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated.Results. Against the background of complex therapy, which included the instillation of Interferon-Ophthalmo or Oftalmoferon, all patients showed comparable dynamics in the relief of the inflammatory process and keratopathy. This was expressed in a statistically significant decrease in the severity of foreign body sensation, lacrimation, itching, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema and hyperemia, follicular reaction, conjunctival hemorrhages, punctate keratopathy, subepithelial infiltrates in the cornea. In both groups, there was a steady downward trend in OSDI against the background of an increase in the stability of the tear film and an increase in maximally corrected visual acuity. The safety and tolerability profile of the drugs was assessed as comparably favorable.Conclusion. The inclusion of the drug Interferon-Oftalmo in the complex therapy of adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis allows us to expect a comparable effect on the course of the disease compared to the original drug Oftalmoferon.

Interferon alfa-2b in patients with low-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis and chemotherapy with DA-EPOCH-R in patients with high-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis: an open-label, single-centre, phase 2 trial

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare Epstein-Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with a median overall survival of less than 2 years. In this study, we hypothesised that low-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis is immune-dependent and high-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis is immune-independent. On the basis of this hypothesis, we investigated the activity and safety of new treatment with immunotherapy in patients with low-grade disease and standard chemotherapy in patients with high-grade disease. In this open-label, single-centre, phase 2 trial, we enrolled patients aged 12 years or older with untreated, or relapsed or refractory lymphomatoid granulomatosis at the National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Patients with low-grade disease received dose-escalated interferon alfa-2b, starting at 7·5 million international units subcutaneously three times per week for up to 1 year past best response, and patients with high-grade disease received six cycles every 3 weeks of intravenous, dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R). Starting doses were 50 mg/m2 per day as a continuous intravenous infusion from day 1 to day 4 (96 h) for etoposide; 60 mg/m2 twice daily by mouth from day 1 to day 5 for prednisone; 0·4 mg/m2 per day as a continuous intravenous infusion from day 1 to day 4 (96 h) for vincristine; 750 mg/m2 intravenous on day 5 for cyclophosphamide; 10 mg/m2 per day as a continuous intravenous infusion from day 1 to day 4 (96 h) for doxorubicin; and 375 mg/m2 intravenous on day 1 for rituximab. The doses of doxorubicin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide were adjusted up or down on the basis of neutrophil and platelet nadirs. Patients with residual or progressive disease after initial therapy crossed over to alternative therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who had an overall response and the 5-year progression-free survival after initial or cross-over treatment. Analysis of response included all participants who underwent restaging imaging; safety analysis included all patients who received any dose of study drugs. The trial is open for enrolment and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00001379. 67 patients were enrolled between Jan 10, 1991, and Sept 5, 2019 (42 [63%] were male). 45 patients received initial treatment with interferon alfa-2b (16 of whom crossed over to DA-EPOCH-R) and 18 received initial treatment with DA-EPOCH-R (eight of whom crossed over to interferon alfa-2b); four underwent surveillance only. After initial treatment with interferon alfa-2b, the overall response was 64% (28 of 44 evaluable patients) with 61% (27 of 44) having a complete response, whereas, after cross-over treatment with interferon alfa-2b, the overall response was 63% (five of eight evaluable patients) with 50% (four of eight) having a complete response. After initial treatment with DA-EPOCH-R, the overall response was 76% (13 of 17 evaluable patients) with 47% (eight of 17) having a complete response, whereas, after cross-over treatment with DA-EPOCH-R, the overall response was 67% (ten of 15 evaluable patients) with 47% (seven of 15) having a complete response. 5-year progression-free survival was 48·5% (95% CI 33·2-62·1) after initial treatment with interferon alfa-2b, 50·0% (15·2-77·5) after cross-over treatment with interferon alfa-2b, 25·4% (8·2-47·2) after initial treatment with DA-EPOCH-R, and 62·5% (34·9-81·1) after cross-over treatment with DA-EPOCH-R. The most common grade 3 or worse adverse events in patients treated with interferon alfa-2b included neutropenia (27 [53%] of 51 patients), lymphopenia (24 [47%]), and leukopenia (24 [47%]). The four most common grade 3 or worse adverse events in patients treated with DA-EPOCH-R included neutropenia (29 [88%] of 33 patients), leukopenia (28 [85%]), infection (18 [55%]), and lymphopenia (17 [52%]). Serious adverse events occurred in 13 (25%) of 51 patients receiving treatment with interferon alfa-2b and 21 (64%) of 33 patients receiving DA-EPOCH-R, with five treatment-related deaths: one thromboembolic, one infection, and one haemophagocytic syndrome with interferon alfa-2b, and one infection and one haemophagocytic syndrome with DA-EPOCH-R. Interferon alfa-2b is efficacious for treating low-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis and hence reducing progression to high-grade disease, whereas patients with high-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis showed expected responses to chemotherapy. Uncontrolled immune regulation of Epstein-Barr virus is hypothesised to result in the emergence of low-grade disease after chemotherapy, for which treatment with interferon alfa-2b is efficacious. Intramural Research Programs of the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health.

Peripheral Circulating Exosomal-miRNAs Potentially Mediate the Sensitivity to Interferon Treatment in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Patients.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (Peg-IFN α-2b), a first-line treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, can significantly achieve HBsAg clearance in clinic. However, only 30-40% of patients had achieved HBsAg clearance after Peg-IFN α-2b administration. The biological targets and the underline mechanisms that distinguish sensitive and insensitive populations to interferon therapy are still unclear. In the present study, only 33.33% of patients achieved HBsAg loss after 48 weeks of Peg-IFN α-2b therapy. Thirty-six exosomal-microRNAs (miRNAs) in the sensitive group were identified that might induce sensitivity specifically, whereas 32 exosomal-miRNAs in the insensitive group were identified that might induce insensitive specifically. Among these miRNAs, five miRNAs (miR-425-5p, miR-8485, miR-619-5p, miR-181a-5p, and miR-484) might increase the sensitivity to Peg-IFN α-2b therapy by regulating key genes GSK3B, KRAS, FLT1, or GRB2, whereas, 13 miRNAs (miR-195-5p, miR-215-5p, miR-9-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-214-3p, miR-149-5p, miR-429, miR-200b-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-16-2-3p, miR-141-3p, miR-200a-3p, and miR-218-5p) might decrease the sensitivity to Peg-IFN α-2b therapy by regulating key genes, FGF2, GSK3B, PDGFRA, FGFR1, KRAS, FLT1, MYC, TGFB2, EFNA1, MAPK9, or GRB2. Furthermore, seven novel miRNAs, namely Novel_352, Novel_459, Novel_527, Novel_677, Novel_717, Novel_749, and Novel_801 were found to be downregulated specifically in the sensitive group, whereas, Novel_142 and Novel_664 were found to be downregulated specifically in the insensitive group. Our data indicate that the serum exosomal-miRNAs could be involved in regulating the sensitivity of chronic HBV (CHB) patients to Peg-IFN α-2b therapy, which might suggest potential novel therapeutic biomarkers and standard options for CHB patients. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04035837.

The effectiveness of Interferon-Ophthalmo, an antiviral and immunotropic drug, in the treatment of adenoviral ophthalmic infections

Adenoviral conjunctivitis (AVC) is treated with pathogenetically determined immunotropic drugs, the most commonly used of which are combined eye drops that include recombinant human interferon alpha-2b and diphenhydramine hydrochloride. In 2020, Russia registered the first domestic generic of the original, called Interferon-Ophthalmo eye drops. Purpose: to compare the effectiveness and safety of InterferonOphthalmo and the original interferon alpha-2b + diphenhydramine drug (Ophthalmoferon) in AVC patients. Material and methods. The study included 30 patients (60 eyes) aged 18–75 years with a clinically confirmed AVC, divided into the main group and the control group, each having 15 patients. The main group received Interferon-Ophthalmo, while the control group received Ophthamoferon. The treatment procedures were identical, with the follow-up period of 15 days. Clinical manifestations of AVC were assessed according to multiple parameters: complaints of eyelid edema, eye redness, lacrimation, itching, foreign body sensation, severity of conjunctival edema and hyperemia, follicular reaction in the lower conjunctival fornix, and hemorrhages. Results. The comparative assessment of the proportion of cases of clinical recovery, performed on the 7th and the 15th days of AVC therapy, confirms the same effectiveness of the two drugs. Conclusion. Interferon-Ophthalmo has a high clinical efficacy comparable with that of the original drug Interferon alpha-2b + Diphenhydramine and can be recommended for the treatment of patients with adenoviral ophthalmic infections.

THE DEVELOPMENT AND STUDY OF THE TOXICITY OF SUPPOSITORIES WITH A MODIFIED SUBSTANCE OF INTERFERON ALFA-2B

Objective: To develop a stable composition with the substance of PEGylated interferon alfa-2b, to study technological and biopharmaceutical characteristics of the dosage form, and to conduct preclinical studies on the chronic toxicity and local irritating effect. Methods: Solid fats Witepsol® H15, Witepsol® W 35, Suppocire® BS2X, and Suppocire® BM brands were used as the suppository bases. Polysorbate 80 was used as an emulsifier. Citric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium tetraborate, lactic acid, ethylenediaminetetetraacetic acid, tocopherol acetate was also introduced into the experimental samples. Fourteen experimental samples were screened for biological and technological indicators. Preclinical studies were performed for the optimal composition on the indicators of chronic toxicity and local irritant effect. Results: The study examined the cytotoxic effects on the Vero cell line of selected suppository bases and excipients, namely, pH regulators and antioxidants. With excipients that did not have cytotoxicity we obtained suppository compositions with the following quality indicators: cytotoxicity, specific activity of interferon, time of complete deformation of suppositories and their melting temperature. A total of 14 compositions were studied, of which 5 were selected on the basis of the results for the study of stability. Only one composition turned out to be stable for the time studied. Conclusion: The most stable in terms of “specific activity” was sample 7, its composition: Witepsol® H15/W35 70/30, polysorbate-80 0.15%, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 0.15%, sodium tetraborate 0.15%, tocopherol acetate 3.0%. Preclinical studies, that showed the absence of chronic toxicity and local irritant effect, were performed for this composition.

Medical treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common non-melanocytic tumour of the ocular surface. Surgical excision with wide margins using the "no-touch" method was originally the most popular treatment for OSSN. However, in the past two decades, the use of topical medications for OSSN treatment has gained a reputation amongst ophthalmologists for being an effective alternative to surgical excision. Furthermore, technological advancements, such asthose seen in high-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) for the anterior segment, have facilitated the diagnosis and monitoring of OSSN. When selecting a topical agent, interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are two of the gentlest medications used for OSSN and are often considered first line therapies due to their high-resolution rates and mild side effect profiles. Mitomycin C (MMC), on the other hand, has a highly toxic profile; therefore, while effective, in our hands it is considered as a second-line treatment for OSSN if the other modalities fail. In addition, newer and less studied agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, retinoic acid, aloe vera, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor have anti-neoplastic properties and have shown potential for the treatment of OSSN. We enclose an updated literature review of medical treatments for OSSN.

Efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha 1b combined with PD-1 monoclonal antibody in patients with unresectable stage IV melanoma: a retrospective study.

The low objective response of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains a great challenge in advanced melanoma therapy. Interferon-alpha has been proven to be a promising combination regimen with ICI in a phase Ib/II trial. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha 1b plus PD-1 monoantibody in a real-world Chinese metastatic melanoma cohort. Profiles of patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IV (AJCC 8th Edition) between December 1st, 2018 and February 28th, 2022 from the Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital were reviewed. All of them received the combination treatment of interferon-alpha 1b (600μg every other day) plus PD-1 monoantibody (Pembrolizumab 2mg/kg or Toripalimab 240mg or Sintilimab 200mg, every 3weeks) for at least 12weeks. The efficacy was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST V1.1). The safety data were identified according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTC AE) V.5.0. In total, 70 patients were included. 50% were females. 52.9% were with ECOG performance status ≥ 1. The fraction of patients receiving Pembrolizumab, Toripalimab, and Sintilimab was 28.6%, 67.1%, and 4.3%, respectively. Acral and mucosal subtypes accounted for 48.6% and 20%. The median follow-up period is 15.1months. The objective response rate was 32.8%. The median time of overall survival was 18months (95% CI 14.2-21.8months), and the median time of PFS was 5.2months (95% CI 4.2-6.2months). The incidence of adverse events (any grade) was 98.6%, but only 8.6% of cases experienced grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions. The combination of interferon-alpha 1b and PD-1 monoantibody demonstrated promising anti-tumor effects and acceptable toxicity in Chinese metastatic melanoma patients with cutaneous, acral, and mucosal subtypes.

Interferon Alfa-2b Adjuvant Therapy of High-Risk Resected Cutaneous Melanoma: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial EST 1684.

Interferon alfa-2b (IFN alpha-2b) exhibits antitumor activity in metastatic melanoma and on this basis has been evaluated as an adjuvant therapy following surgery for deep primary (T4) or regionally metastatic (N1) melanoma. A randomized controlled study of IFN alpha-2b (Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) administered at maximum-tolerated doses of 20 MU/m2/d intravenously (i.v.) for 1 month and 10 MU/m2 three times per week subcutaneously (SC) for 48 weeks versus observation, was conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) in 287 patients. A significant prolongation of relapse-free survival (P = .0023, one-sided) and prolongation of overall survival (P = .0237, one-sided) was observed with IFN alpha-2b therapy in this trial, which is now mature with a median follow-up time of 6.9 years. The impact of treatment on relapse rate is most pronounced early during the treatment interval. The overall benefit of treatment in this trial was analyzed stratified by tumor burden and the presence or absence of microscopic nonpalpable and palpable regional lymph node metastasis. The benefit of therapy with IFN alpha-2b was greatest among node-positive strata. Toxicity of IFN alpha-2b required dose modification in the majority of patients, but treatment at > or = 80% of the scheduled dose was feasible in the majority of patients through the IV phase of treatment, and for more than 3 months of SC maintenance therapy. Discontinuation of treatment due to toxicity was infrequent after the fourth month of therapy. IFN alpha-2b prolongs the relapse-free interval and overall survival of high-risk resected melanoma patients. The increment in median disease-free survival (from 1 to 1.7 years) and overall survival (from 2.8 to 3.8 years) that results from this therapy is associated with a 42% improvement in the fraction of patients who are continuously disease-free after treatment with IFN (from 26% to 37%) in comparison to observation. IFN alpha-2b is the first agent to show a significant benefit in relapse-free and overall survival of high-risk melanoma patients in a randomized controlled trial.

Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Literature on the natural course of neuroinvasive West Nile virus (WNV) infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is sparse. In the setting of a 2021 WNV outbreak in Arizona, we reviewed our institution's experience with neuroinvasive WNV infection in patients with SOT. We retrospectively identified SOT recipients treated for neuroinvasive WNV at Mayo Clinic in Arizona from 2007 through 2021. Clinical manifestations, disease course, and outcomes were analyzed. Among 24 SOT recipients with WNV infection identified during the study period, 13 infections occurred in 2021. Most patients had gastrointestinal tract symptoms and fever at disease presentation. Five patients had cognitive impairment, and 14 initially or eventually had acute flaccid paralysis. Clinically significant deterioration occurred at a median of 4 (range, 1-11) days after hospital admission. Seventeen patients (71%) were transferred to the intensive care unit, with 15 requiring mechanical ventilation. Initial cerebrospinal fluid analysis mainly demonstrated a neutrophil-predominant pleocytosis. Almost all patients (n = 23) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin alone or in combination with interferon alfa-2b. Sixteen patients had clinical improvement, 4 of whom recovered completely. Six patients died during hospitalization due to complications of neuroinvasive WNV infection. Two patients were discharged to hospice without clinical recovery. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 36%. Despite advances in supportive care, neuroinvasive WNV infection is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in SOT recipients. Flaccid paralysis is an indicator of poor prognosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Topical cyclosporine A and interferon alpha-2b as adjuvants to surgery to decrease pterygium recurrence.

Pterygium is very common in India and is usually removed by limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT), which, despite being the first-line therapy, is still associated with recurrences of up to 18%. To compare the safety and efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) and interferon (IFN) alpha-2b in the prevention of postoperative recurrence of pterygium. A total of 40 patients with primary pterygium were randomized into two equal groups, Group C and Group I. Both the groups underwent LCAT, with Group C kept on topical cyclosporine 0.05% (CsA) 4 times daily and Group I on topical IFN alpha 2b 0.2 million IU 4 times daily postoperatively for 3 months. Pre- and posttreatment best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), recurrence, and complications were assessed at day 1, week 1, 1 month, and 3 months. The mean preoperative BCVA of 0.51 ± 0.18 and 0.51 ± 0.23 improved to 0.13 ± 0.13 and 0.13 ± 0.13 in Group C and Group I, respectively, after 3 months of treatment (P < 0.0001). Recurrence was seen in 2 cases in Group C and in 1 case in Group I at 3 months. No significant complications occurred in either of the groups. Topical CsA and IFN Alpha-2b are newer efficacious adjuvants with LCAT for prevention of postoperative pterygium recurrence.

Применение интраназального препарата интерферона альфа-2b в комплексном лечении детей с ожоговой травмой

Objective. To assess the effect of intranasal recombinant interferon alpha-2b medicine (IFN-α2b, Grippferon) in the complex treatment of children with thermal burn injury based on the changes in the clinical parameters and the levels of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in saliva. Patients and methods. The study included two groups of children with thermal burn injury that were comparable by gender, age and burn injury type. Main group patients (Group I, n = 20) received recombinant human IFN-α2b medicine intranasally in addition to the basic treatment, whereas the control group patients (Group II, n = 20) were given only the basic therapy. The results were compared with data of 20 healthy children (healthy controls). The levels of IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-1a, -1b, -4, -5, -6, -10, TNF-α and TNF-β were measured during follow-up visits on days 1 and 10 in the hospital. Results were analysed using Statistica 6.0 software. Null hypotheses were rejected at p &lt; 0.05. Results. Our findings reveal that the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in all patients were lower, than those in healthy controls (p &lt; 0.050), except for IL-6 and IL-10, whose levels increased (p = 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). The levels of mediators correlated with the burn area and depth (0.031 ≤ p ≤ 0.050). The use of intranasal recombinant IFN-α2b medicine was associated with a less pronounced imbalance in the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and ensured a 20% reduction in the absolute risk of acute respiratory viral disease (χ2 = 4,44, p = 0,035). Conclusion. Thermal burn injury in children can compromise the immunological homeostasis, manifested by changes in the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in mixed unstimulated saliva. Intranasal recombinant IFN-α2b medicine (Grippferon) has an immunomodulatory effect and can be recommended as a part of complex treatment of children with thermal burn injury for the prevention of acute respiratory viral diseases. Keywords: burn, thermal burn injury, cytokines, interferon alpha-2b, Grippferon, prevention, acute respiratory viral infections

Efficacy of Human Interferon Alpha-2b Spray Combined with Chiqiao Qingre Granule in the Treatment of Herpangina in Children

Efficacy of Human Interferon Alpha-2b Spray Combined with Chiqiao Qingre Granule in the Treatment of Herpangina in Children

Инновационные подходы к терапии герпесвирусных заболеваний человека во время пандемии COVID-19

During lifetime the human body is constantly in contact with various microorganisms, which can be either harmless and/or beneficial, or can cause various infectious diseases. Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are the most common among them: according to the official report “The 2020 Status of Sanitary and Epidemiological Population Well-being in the Russian Federation” the economic cost of ARVI of multiple and unspecified localization was quite substantial, amounting to 606,505,442.0 roubles. The main causative agents of ARVI are influenza viruses type A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, human metapneumoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses. Several viruses, such as influenza virus, measles virus and coronaviruses MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19) can cause severe pneumonia, which clinical picture can partially resemble seasonal ARVI. In addition to the well-known respiratory pathogens, special attention should be given to human herpesviruses with lifelong persistence that can cause chronic infections as well as reveal impaired immune surveillance. They are also detected in reactivation state in human lung (and other) tissues during asymptomatic course (HSV-1, EBV, CMV, HHV-6B, HHV-7). In this regard, it is essential to analyse the latest data on herpesviruses reactivation, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Key words: latent herpesviruses, genome editing, memory T-cell, recombinant interferon alpha-2b, Ophthalmoferon, Herpferon, Grippferon, COVID-19

Topical interferon alpha-2b is a proper alternative for management of adenoviral keratitis: A case report

Topical interferon alpha-2b is a proper alternative for management of adenoviral keratitis: A case report

Treatment of post-COVID-19 patients with chronic recurrent prostatitis: efficacy of recombinant interferon α-2b medications

Introduction. The tactics of managing and treating patients with chronic recurrent bacterial prostatitis (CRBP) in some cases is a difficult-to-treat condition for a practicing urologist. This circumstance occurs because the disease has several predisposing factors, a complex and multifaceted pathogenesis, and certain difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.Objective. To study the effectiveness of recombinant interferon α-2b medications in post-COVID-19 patients with chronic recurrent prostatitis against the background of antibiotic multi-drug resistance of microorganisms verified in prostate secretion.Materials and methods. The treatment of 52 post-COVID-19 patients with CRBP was analyzed, divided into three therapy-dependent groups. Group 1 patients (n = 18) received antibiotic therapy (ABT): Levofloxacin 500 mg q.d. PO for 28 days. Group 2 patients (n = 18) underwent combined therapy: ABT supplemented with recombinant interferon α-2b with an antioxidant complex of vitamins E and C (“Viferon®” rectal suppositories) 3.000.000 IU b.i.d. PR q12h for 28 days. Group 3 patients (n = 16) received monotherapy with recombinant interferon α-2b with an antioxidant complex of vitamins E and C (“Viferon®”rectal suppositories) 3.000.000 IU b.i.d. PR q12h for 28 days. The follow-up period was 6 months with monitoring of clinical and laboratory parameters assessed before treatment, after 1, 3 and 6 months from the start of therapy.Results. Based on the monitoring of the clinical picture and laboratory parameters, after 1 follow-up month, there was a significant decrease in the symptoms of the disease in all study groups. However, after 3 and 6 follow-up months, this trend was observed only in patients of groups 2 and 3 receiving recombinant interferon alfa-2b with an antioxidant complex (vitamins E and C).Conclusions. Strengthening the standard CRBP-therapy with recombinant interferon α-2b with an antioxidant complex of vitamins E and C makes it possible to normalize both clinical and laboratory parameters in most patients.

Pharmacists' role in multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment in adverse reactions: A case report of interferon alfa-2b induced severe lupus.

Various side effects of interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α2b) have been reported. However, no relevant research has been conducted on the identification and treatment scheme selection for IFN-α2b induced severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 41-years-old man with a long history of hepatitis B who developed severe active SLE after IFN-α2b therapy for 24 months, with complete and persistent remission of clinical and laboratory abnormalities after IFN-α2b withdrawal, was not observed. The patient was diagnosed with interferon-associated lupus by a multidisciplinary team involving pharmacists, and lupus nephritis by renal biopsy. Methylprednisolone (40 mg/day) with intravenous cyclophosphamide (600 mg/body weight) was initiated and the symptoms were partially relieved. Cyclophosphamide was increased from 600 mg to 850 mg at the pharmacist's recommendation. The patient showed a favorable response to these therapies. Clinical pharmacists collaborated with other members of the health care team to diagnose and treat adverse reactions, resulting in improved patient management.

REBACIN® inhibits E6/E7 oncogenes in clearance of human papillomavirus infection.

http://www.chictr.org.cn/historyversionpuben.aspx?regno=ChiCTR2100045911, identifier ChiCTR2100045911.

Topical interferon therapy in uveitic macular edema.

To evaluate efficacy of topical interferon alfa-2b (IFN) in the treatment of uveitic macular edema (UME). This is a prospective, interventional case study of patients with UME. Injection IFN was reconstituted into eye drops and a four times/day (QID) application was prescribed. Central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan was evaluated. Improvement in CMT by ≥50 μm from the baseline was studied in eyes with presenting CMT ≥400 μm. Twenty eyes of 20 patients with UME were studied: anterior uveitis (n = 3), anterior + intermediate uveitis (n = 5), posterior uveitis (n = 3), retinal vasculitis (n = 3), and panuveitis (n = 6). Mean CMT at the presentation was 423.3 μm (range: 270-604 μm), which improved at 1 month (n = 16), 2 months (n = 10), and ≥3 months (n = 11) follow-up, to 415.3 μm (range: 247-579 μm) (P = 0.411), 364.4 μm (range: 258-566 μm) (P = 0.099), 344 μm (range: 258-484 μm) (P = 0.001), respectively. Twelve eyes of 12 patients had presenting CMT ≥400 μm. In these cases, decrease in CMT by ≥50 μm was seen in 4/10, 4/5, and 5/6 eyes at 1 and 2 months and ≥3 months follow-up. Mean follow-up was 4 months (range: 1-17 months). Complete resolution of UME was seen only in three eyes. No ocular or systemic side effects were observed. Topical IFN therapy in QID doses is safe but may have limited role in UME. Long-term therapy may improve its efficacy. Larger studies with dose modification, combination with other drugs, and with homogeneous uveitis population are recommended.

Antiviral Activity of Interferon Alpha-2b and Taurine Combination Against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Interferons (IFN) have antiviral activity against many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. A combination of IFN-a2b and the antioxidant taurine is widely used in the Russian Federation, and its antiviral activity has not been studied before. The aim of this study was to determine the antiviral activity of interferon drugs, in combination with taurine and without it. The study included cytotoxicity and antiviral activity assays of IFN-a2b preparations, when stored according to the instructions at 2–8°C, and after 1 month storage at the temperature of 20–26°C in a pre-opened state. The combination of IFN alpha-2b with taurine has a higher antiviral activity compared to IFN alpha-2b mono-preparation by more than 25% at a «low» and 85% at a «high» multiplicity of infection. Selectivity index for combinations of IFN-a2b (50,000 IU/dose) + taurine (1 mg/ml) and IFN-a2b (10,000 IU/ml) + taurine (0.8 mg/ml) was more than 600 units, whereas for the IFN-a2b (10,000 IU/ml) it was 200 units. Antiviral activity does not change after one month at room temperature. The combination of interferon with taurine at high concentrations was less toxic than interferon. The results obtained demonstrate practicability of interferon alpha-2b and taurine combination use for treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2b and Common Interferon Alpha in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN-α2b) and common interferon alfa (IFN-α) in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Methodology: This study was designed as a prospective clinical study. Patients with MPN who visited the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from August 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 were enrolled in this study. There were 30 patients in the PEG-IFN-α2b group and 60 patients in the common IFN-α group, and the median follow-up period was 24 (9 - 32) months. The differences in the clinical characteristics, efficacy and safety indicators between the two groups were compared. Results: ①The baseline clinical characteristics of patients in the PEG-IFN-α2b group and the common IFN-α group were well balanced and comparable. ②Efficacy: There was no significant difference in hematological objective response rate (ORR) at month 6, 12 and 24 between the PEG-IFN-α2b group and the common IFN-α group (68.2% vs 60%, 86.4% vs 68.3%, 84.6% vs 68.3%, P > 0.05); the ORR of molecular response at month 12 in the PEG-IFN-α2b group was higher than that in the common IFN-α group (81% vs 47.1%, P = 0.022); the proportion of patients with decreased V617F%and scores for MPN-10 symptoms in the PEG-IFN-α2b group was significantly higher than that in the common IFN-α group (80% vs 46.4%, 82.4% vs 44.2%, P < 0.05); Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and Interferon gamma (IFNγ) in the PEG-IFN-α2b group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05); the event-free survival (EFS) in the PEG-IFN-α2b group tended to be longer than that in the common IFN-α2b group, and for patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), the EFS in the PEG-IFN-α2b group was significantly longer than that in the common IFN-α group (P < 0.05). ③Safety: There was no significant difference in the incidence of hematological toxicity between the two groups, and the incidence of grade 3-4 adverse events of fever and influenza-like symptoms as non-hematological toxicity was significantly lower than that in the common IFN-α group (6.6% vs 23.3%, 6.6% vs 15%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with common IFN-α group, PEG-IFN-α2b group showed significantly superior results for molecular response rate, V617F% reduction, physical symptoms improvement, and IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ reduction, as well as prolong EFS in ET patients with better safety profile. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal