Interferons

Interferons are proteins produced by your immune system in response to an infection.

Interferons work by "interfering" with the foreign invaders (bacteria or viruses) that may cause infection. Interferons can also prevent the growth and spread of other diseased cells, including some types of cancer cells.

A man-made version of one type of interferon is approved by the FDA to treat "high-risk" melanomas. It is called INTRON® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) for Injection.

High-risk melanomas are tumors that have a high chance of coming back, or have spread to nearby lymph nodes. A tumor is considered a "high-risk" melanoma if:
it is more than 4 millimeters thick (approximately 1/6 of an inch) or
it has spread to the body tissue below the skin or to a lymph node

Any melanoma that is more than 4 millimeters thick, or has spread beyond the skin, has a high chance of coming back. INTRON® A is used to treat these high-risk melanomas within 8 weeks of surgery.

Full Prescribing Information (PDF)

How Does INTRON® A Work?

Scientists do not know exactly how INTRON® A therapy works in treating melanoma. Interferons are thought to work in many ways. Interferons may directly attack the cancer cells, or they may help the immune system fight off the cancer cells.

Learn more about treatment with INTRON® A.

INTRON® A is the only drug that's been proven to improve survival in people with high-risk malignant melanoma who have already had surgery.

INTRON® A is the only drug that's been proven to increase the amount of time people survive without melanoma coming back.

INTRON® A is indicated as adjuvant to surgical treatment in patients 18 years or older with malignant melanoma who are free of disease but at high risk for systemic recurrence within 56 days of surgery.

Glossary

Cancer: A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.
Cell: The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
Immune system: The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
Injection: Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
Lymph nodes: Glands that produce lymph and that filter out harmful agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells).
Melanoma: A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may either be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).