Author/Editor		Fleischmann, WR Jr
Title		Interferons in antitumor therapy: current status and future prospects
Translated title		Interferoni pri zdravljenju tumorjev: stanje danes in izgledi za prihodnost
Type		članek
Source		Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.		Letnik 63, št. Suppl 2
Publication year		1994
Volume		str. II-15-II-1
Language		eng
Abstract		Background. Interferons are currently approved for approximately 15 clinical applications in a number of different countries. However, while interferons do have many clinical uses, they also cause significant side effects in treated individuals. Furthermore, the in vivo activities of the interferons against many tumors are many fold lower than expected on the basis of in vitro observations. A major challenge for the future is to increase the therapeutic index of the interferons by reducing their side effects and by increasing their antitumor activities. A number of possible methods for increasing the therapeutic index of interferons are currently under investigation. Conclusions. Early results of animal and in vitro studies have been promising. However, these studies must be extended to the human system before their true utility can be measured. Based upon the high biological significance of the studies performed to date in animal models, it is likely that interferons have not yet reached their maximal potential.
Descriptors		NEOPLASMS INTERFERONS