Acute Renal Failure during Therapy with Recombinant Human Gamma Interferon

Abstract

THE interferons are a group of glycoproteins with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities. There are three major types: alfa (leukocyte or lymphoblastoid), beta (fibroblast), and gamma (immune) interferon. Alfa interferon has proved efficacy in treating various human cancers.^{1 , 2} The gene for gamma interferon has been cloned more recently, and Phase I and II studies in adults have demonstrated it to be capable of producing antitumor effects.^{3 , 4} Interferon-induced renal toxicity is quite unusual, although acute renal failure with interstitial nephritis has been reported in one woman receiving alfa interferon for mycosis fungoides.⁵ We describe a 12-year-old child in whom acute renal . . .