Is interferon a form of chemo therapy?

[lynne655]

The other question i meant to ask is whether interferon is a form of chemotherapy or not?
Thanks
Lynne

[panda2526]

I'm glad it came up, though a little from the past...I was wondering the same thing myself lately and glad to see it entered the recent threads again...there are always new people wondering the same questions other people have already had answered.

C

[orphanedhawk]

Yes, I've read that interferon was also used for treating some cancers, though not liver cancer.

I'd also like to point out to quayle who is replying to Lynn that her  post was from 2010. It's not likely she is still looking for replies.

[Diana66]

however, Interferon is and was used to treat cancers such as lymphoma, melanoma, kidney cancer, leukemia, etc,

I think is called sometimes "biological therapy" because interferon is a natural part of the body's immune system.Of course, there is nothing natural or human about the interferon we are doing, is just a mix of chemicals plus interferon coming out of the E Coli bacteria so it is not a cytotoxic chemo drugs but still a chemical drug

[orphanedhawk]

I'm not an  expert but I relive you are very mistaken.

Our member SFHector who is on the transplant list, has battled liver cancer and they did not use interferon tx  to rid him of his tumor.
He will gladly tell you that interferon treatment is not chemo, having done both.

[quayle]

Yes interferon is a form of Cancer treatment lynne,in fact it is part of the treatment for Liver Cancer.

[debbiedo100]

Hello, I started Hep C treatment 5 weeks ago. I have lost some hair no big deal. The worst part is the up and downs, mostly down. You feel sick all the time, can't eat, went from 132 pounds to 124 in 4 weeks, vomit often. Had blood transfusion because of extremely low red blood cell count, little or no appetitie, feel like dying but not depressed. If someone could put me to sleep I would welcome it.  I am weak and confused a lot...I look around at other people/children and they have it a whole lot worse so that thought keeps me going. People should have their Doctors do a full stds pannel espcially for hep c and if diagnosed get treatment right away. The virus at that point is going after your liver.