Human Interferon as a Therapeutic Agent — Current Status

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of interferon was reviewed in these columns 4 1/2 years ago.¹ The early results were reported, and the limited availability of material was emphasized. Recently, new strategies using recombinant DNA in the production of interferon in bacteria, as well as more efficient large-scale production of human-cell cultures, have made virtually unlimited quantities of all types of interferon available for use in experimental trials and for potential general clinical use. However, the process of defining the most appropriate clinical uses for the interferons may be evolving too slowly for some — especially investors in biotechnology and persons whose . . .