The preclinical development of roferon®‐A

Abstract

Interferon alfa‐2a (Roferon®‐AHoffmann‐La Roche Inc. NutleyNJ) is identical to one of approximately 15 subtypes of interferon alpha made by human leukocytes and is produced in bacteria using recombinant DNA techniques. In its antiviralantiproliferativeand immunomodulatory activities it is similar to leukocyte interferon alpha. These activities are species‐restricted and have been demonstrablethus faronly in humanscertain other primatesbovinesand guinea pigs or cells derived therefrom. The possibility that the toxicity of interferon alfa‐2a would also be species‐restricted appears to have been confirmed by results obtained thus far. Toxicological studies in ratsmice and several species of monkeys have failed to indicate the side effects that have been observed in humans. Howeverstudies in species in which interferon alfa‐2a is active and in others in which it is nothave revealed similar pharmacokinetics and elimination mechanisms. Copyright © 1986 American Cancer Society