title: The interferons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a review of the biology, pharmacology, clinical application, and toxic effects of interferon and strategies for nursing management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research studies, review articles, and book chapters pertaining to interferons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interferons are active therapeutic agents for hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, melanoma, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Clinical trials continue to investigate the clinical application of interferons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses can facilitate patient self-care in managing side effects of interferon therapy, provide patient and family education, and assist with reimbursement concerns.
authors.affiliation: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skalla
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000451:nursing; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000451:nursing; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons