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Clinical Use of Interferons: Systemic Administration in Viral Diseases

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Interferons and Their Applications

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 71))

Abstract

Systemic application of interferon to viral infections in humans was most recently reviewed by Billiau and De Somer (1980) and up-to-date accounts of ongoing activities in this area have been provided by Dunnick and Galasso (1979, 1980). Early clinical trials of interferon were discouraging. For instance, a double-blind controlled trial of monkey interferon against common cold virus infections in volunteers showed no evidence of antiviral effect (Scientific Committee on Interferon 1965). However, the doses of interferon used, approximately 104 U per patient, have since been shown to be quite insufficient. A new era in application of interferon began with the development of methods to produce human leukocyte interferon on a large scale. Cantell (1977) pioneered these efforts and much of the leukocyte interferon used in the clinical trials to be discussed here was produced in Helsinki under his direction.

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Authors
  1. J. A. Armstrong
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. HEM Research Inc., 12280 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA

    Paul E. Came Ph.D.

  2. Clinical Research, Department of Oncology, Orlowitz Cancer Institute, 230 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    William A. Carter M.D. (Professor and Director) (Professor and Director)

  3. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hahnemann University of Health Sciences, 230 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    William A. Carter M.D. (Professor and Director) (Professor and Director)

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© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Armstrong, J.A. (1984). Clinical Use of Interferons: Systemic Administration in Viral Diseases. In: Came, P.E., Carter, W.A. (eds) Interferons and Their Applications. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 71. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69178-2_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69178-2_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69180-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69178-2

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