Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A)

==General information==
Class/mechanism: Immune system activator; binds to cell surface receptors that modulate many downstream intracellular signal transduction pathways. Mechanism not fully understood.Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) package insert Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) package insert (locally hosted backup)Intron-A manufacturer's website
Route: SC, IM, IV, intralesional
Extravasation: no information
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias or the prescribing information. 
==Diseases for which it is used==
*Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma
*Chronic myeloid leukemia
*Hairy cell leukemia
*Kaposi sarcoma
*Neuroendocrine tumor
*Pancreatic NET
*Renal cell carcinoma
*Systemic mastocytosis
==Diseases for which it was used==
*Follicular lymphoma
*Melanoma
*Multiple myeloma
==Patient drug information==
*Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) package insert
*Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) patient drug information (Chemocare)Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) patient drug information (Chemocare)
*Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) patient drug information (UpToDate)Interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) patient drug information (UpToDate)
==History of changes in FDA indication==
* 1986-06-04: Initial FDA approval for treatment of patients 18 years of age or older with hairy cell leukemia. (Based on Golomb et al. 1988)
* Uncertain date: Indicated as adjuvant to surgical treatment in patients 18 years of age or older with malignant melanoma who are free of disease but at high risk for systemic recurrence, within 56 days of surgery. (Based on ECOG E1684 & ECOG E1690)
* Uncertain date: Indicated for the initial treatment of clinically aggressive follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in conjunction with anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy in patients 18 years of age or older. Efficacy of INTRON A therapy in patients with low-grade, low tumor burden follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has not been demonstrated. (Based on GELA GELF-86)
* Uncertain date: Indicated for the treatment of selected patients 18 years of age or older with AIDS-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma. (Based on Lane et al. 1988 & Volberding et al. 1987)
==Also known as==
Caution, may also contain names for interferon beta, interferon gamma, or interferon alfa-2a.
*Brand names:
Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms 	Synonyms
Advaferon 	Alfaferone 	Biogamma 	Canferon A	Cytoferon 	Egiferon 	Feron 	Fiblaferon
Frone 	Finnferon-Alpha	Heberon Alfa R	Humoferon 	IFN Alpha 	Imufor 	Imukin 	INF
Inferax 	Infergen 	Inmutag 	Interfero 	Interferon Alfanative	Interferon Human	Interferon Leucocyticum	Interferon Lymphoblastoid
Interferonum Leucocyticum	Intron-A 	IntronA 	Multiferon	Namalvin 	OIF 	Polyferon 	Realdiron
Roceron-A 	Sumiferon 	 	 	 	 	 	
==References==
Category:Drugs
Category:Subcutaneous medications
Category:Intralesional medications
Category:Intramuscular medications
Category:Intravenous medications
Category:Interferon alfas
Category:Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma medications
Category:Chronic myeloid leukemia medications
Category:Hairy cell leukemia medications
Category:Kaposi sarcoma medications
Category:Melanoma medications 
Category:Neuroendocrine tumor medications
Category:Pancreatic NET medications
Category:Renal_cell_carcinoma medications
Category:Systemic mastocytosis medications
Category:Follicular lymphoma medications (historic)
Category:Melanoma medications (historic)
Category:Multiple myeloma medications (historic)
Category:FDA approved in 1986