title: [Interferons--research, effects and importance].
abstract: Interferons are a family of proteins synthesized by the cells of higher organisms as a first reaction to viral infections, preceding the immune response. They are also involved in the regulation of the immune system and therefore included among the lymphokines. Since they had been shown to have antitumor activity in vitro and in experimental animals, they were suggested to be powerful drugs in cancer therapy.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy; D012106:Research; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons
vernacular_title: Die Interferone. Erforschung, Wirkung und Bedeutung.