Antiviral activity of the interferon α family: biological and pharmacological aspects of the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
Type I interferons (IFNs) comprise a group of at least 13 structurally related subtypes of IFN-α with similar, but not identical, biological activities. Each subtype displays a unique activity profile; only IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b subtypes together with natural IFN-α preparations are currently used in the clinical practice, so that the remaining IFN-α subtypes are a still unexploited reservoir of opportunity also in the new era of direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV).


METHODS
This paper reviews recent progress in the study of the biology of IFN family, the antiviral action mechanism and the strategies employed by HCV to evade IFN action. Currently available IFN preparations for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection are described and what is currently known on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of IFN-α preparations used in clinical practice are summarized.


CONCLUSIONS
The characterization of multifunctional nature of IFN system together with recent advances in the identification of HCV IFN evasion strategies and the variety of host factors influencing IFN treatment response should be considered to improve HCV and other infectious diseases treatment in the future.
Sapienza University, Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Viale di Porta Tiburtina n. 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Carolina
C
Scagnolari
Guido
G
Antonelli
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface