Description
IFN-alpha-2 is a cytokine that displays antiviral and antiproliferative properties. It is comprised of three major subtypes, which include IFN-alpha-2a, IFN-alpha-2b, and IFN-alpha-2c. IFN-alpha-2b is the predominant subtype in the human genome. It binds to its receptor and activates the JAK-STAT pathway, which stimulates expression of the host genes responsible for antiviral activity. IFN-alpha-2b is used to treat many diseases, such as hepatitis B and C, melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, chronic myeloid lymphoma, and angioblastoma. The combination of IFN-alpha-2b with ribavirin, a viral inhibitor, has become the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection