Abstract

The family of interferon (IFN) proteins has now more than reached the potential envisioned by early discovering virologists: IFNs are not only antivirals with a spectrum of clinical effectiveness against both RNA and DNA viruses, but are also the prototypic biological response modifiers for oncology, and show effectiveness in suppressing manifestations of multiple sclerosis. Studies of IFNs have resulted in fundamental insights into cellular signalling mechanisms, gene transcription and innate and acquired immunity. Further elucidation of the multitude of IFN-induced genes, as well as drug development strategies targeting IFN production via the activation of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), will almost certainly lead to newer and more efficacious therapeutics. Our goal is to offer a molecular and clinical perspective that will enable IFNs or their TLR agonist inducers to reach their full clinical potential.

Author affiliations

1. Taussig Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, and Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
2. CNRS UMR 5235, Place Eugene Bataillon, Montpellier, Cedex 5 FR34095, France.
3. Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary's School of Medicine, 4 Newark Street, London E1 4AT, UK.

Correspondence to: Ernest C. Borden¹ Email: bordene@ccf.org

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