Drugs / interferon alfa
last change Feb 2026 re-read 2 minutes ago

interferon alfa

Protein / enzyme biologic

Developed for
HIV infectious disease · leukemia · renal cell carcinoma · cutaneous melanoma · lymphoma · plasma cell myeloma · Kaposi's sarcoma · kidney cancer
+35 more · cancer · chronic myeloid leukemia · hepatitis C virus infection · acute lymphoblastic leukemia · anus neoplasm · Behcet disease · birdshot chorioretinopathy · breast cancer · cancer of unknown primary site · carcinoid tumor · chronic hepatitis B virus infection · chronic hepatitis C virus infection · clear cell renal carcinoma · colorectal cancer · COVID-19 · cystoid macular edema · gastric cancer · hairy cell leukemia · hepatocellular carcinoma · lung cancer · malignant pancreatic neoplasm · melanoma · myelodysplastic syndrome · myeloproliferative neoplasm · ovarian carcinoma · papillary renal cell carcinoma · plasma cell neoplasm · precancerous condition · prostate cancer · uveitis · viral respiratory tract infection · end stage renal failure · essential thrombocythemia · panuveitis · retinal vasculitis
Investigated by
National Cancer Institute (NCI) · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) · Hoffmann-La Roche · Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group · Cancer Biotherapy Research Group · Centre Leon Berard
+52 more · European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC · Glaxo Wellcome · Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian · Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Aga Khan University · Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology · Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Beijing Bio-Fortune Ltd. · Blumenthal Cancer Center at Carolinas Medical Center · Cancer and Leukemia Group B · Children's Oncology Group · City of Hope Medical Center · Duke University · European Institute of Oncology · French Immunotherapy Intergroup · French Innovative Leukemia Organisation · German CML Study Group · Getz Pharma · GlaxoSmithKline · H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute · HOVON Foundation · Heidelberg University · Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom · Italian Oncology Group for Clinical Research · Kansai Hepatobiliary Oncology Group · Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology & Radiology · Leiden University Medical Center · Lymphoma Trials Office · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · MIPO Clinic · Medical Research Council · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Mid-Atlantic Oncology Program · NCIC Clinical Trials Group · National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) · Nordic Lymphoma Group · Northwestern University · Novartis Pharmaceuticals · Peking Union Medical College Hospital · Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia · Pfizer · Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center · Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust · SCAPP (Sub-Cutaneous Administration Proleukin Program) · SWOG Cancer Research Network · Schering-Plough · Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins · Spanish Oncology Genito-Urinary Group · Tulane University School of Medicine · Wiseman Research Initiatives LLC

Regulatory milestones approvals, filings & regulatory actions · 1 recorded

MilestoneJurisdictionBrandIndicationDateSentence it was read from
Refused (EMA) EU (EMA) Alpheon 2006-09-05 europa.eu

Trials 59 · a red edge is where a trial was stopped

PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 16 trials
Phase 1 NCT01220648 Apr 2012 → Jan 2014 chronic myeloid leukemia Novartis Pharmaceuticals Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00000967 ? → Sep 1996 HIV infectious disease National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00000696 ? → Nov 1993 HIV infectious disease National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00000764 ? → Jul 1996 HIV infectious disease, anus neoplasm National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00000725 ? → Feb 1990 HIV infectious disease, Kaposi's sarcoma National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00001113 ? → Mar 1990 HIV infectious disease, Kaposi's sarcoma National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/26 trials
Phase 1/2 NCT04072263 Aug 2018 → Aug 2021 ovarian carcinoma Leiden University Medical Center Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT01997944 Nov 2013 → Sep 2014 chronic hepatitis B virus infection Beijing Bio-Fortune Ltd. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT01513187 Jul 2011 → Dec 2015 renal cell carcinoma Spanish Oncology Genito-Urinary Group Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00095862 Nov 2004 → ? breast cancer Wiseman Research Initiatives LLC Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00004063 Aug 1999 → Nov 2011 cancer of unknown primary site The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00005615 Jul 1997 → Dec 2005 cutaneous melanoma H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 227 trials
Phase 2 NCT07671495 Jan 2014 → Dec 2017 cutaneous melanoma MIPO Clinic Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT01834963 Mar 2013 → Feb 2018 hepatocellular carcinoma Kansai Hepatobiliary Oncology Group Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00796757 Dec 2008 → Feb 2012 renal cell carcinoma Hoffmann-La Roche Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00508040 Sep 2007 → Oct 2011 birdshot chorioretinopathy, cystoid macular edema Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00363649 Sep 2006 → Sep 2017 leukemia Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT02159482 Nov 2005 → May 2008 cancer Duke University Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00098618 Oct 2004 → Jan 2006 clear cell renal carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma National Cancer Institute (NCI) Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00082862 Jul 2002 → Nov 2012 malignant pancreatic neoplasm The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00005847 Apr 2001 → Jul 2004 prostate cancer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00323505 Mar 2001 → Dec 2004 plasma cell myeloma Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2/31 trial
Phase 2/3 NCT02829775 Jan 2004 → Jan 2008 chronic myeloid leukemia, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma Hoffmann-La Roche Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 318 trials
Phase 3 NCT04534725 Dec 2020 → Nov 2022 COVID-19, cancer, viral respiratory tract infection Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT03209219 Jun 2017 → Aug 2020 Behcet disease, uveitis Peking Union Medical College Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00072046 Oct 2003 → Jan 2004 kidney cancer Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00065468 Jul 2003 → Jun 2006 renal cell carcinoma Pfizer Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT01609010 Oct 2002 → Jul 2011 lymphoma Hoffmann-La Roche Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00055874 Jun 2002 → Mar 2012 leukemia Heidelberg University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00006237 Aug 2000 → Jul 2012 cutaneous melanoma SWOG Cancer Research Network Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00291369 Dec 1999 → Feb 2005 renal cell carcinoma Centre Leon Berard Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00002868 Nov 1997 → Mar 2004 leukemia Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00003152 Mar 1997 → Nov 1999 lymphoma European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 41 trial
Phase 4 NCT00502970 May 2004 → Nov 2007 hepatitis C virus infection Aga Khan University Completed No outcome recorded
Also used as a comparator or background therapy in 20 trials
PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 29 trials
Phase 2 NCT02340962 Background May 2015 → Aug 2016 chronic hepatitis C virus infection TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00719264 Comparator Nov 2008 → Dec 2011 renal cell carcinoma Novartis Pharmaceuticals Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00619268 Comparator Feb 2008 → Feb 2012 renal cell carcinoma Centre Leon Berard Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00520403 Background Sep 2007 → Mar 2010 renal cell carcinoma Hoffmann-La Roche Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00433069 Background Jan → Dec 2007 chronic hepatitis C virus infection University Hospital, Geneva Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 39 trials
Phase 3 NCT06079879 Comparator Dec 2023 → Jul 2027 expected essential thrombocythemia Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Active not recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT01094964 Background Oct 2009 → Oct 2013 urinary bladder cancer Cancer Research Campaign Clinical Trials Centre Unknown No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00631371 Comparator Apr 2008 → Apr 2012 renal cell carcinoma Pfizer Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00167583 Comparator Nov 2004 → Dec 2014 Behcet disease, panuveitis, retinal vasculitis University Hospital Tuebingen Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT00204529 Comparator Oct 2004 → May 2013 melanoma University Hospital Tuebingen Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 41 trial
Phase 4 NCT00172809 Comparator Jul 2005 → Jun 2006 chronic hepatitis C virus infection, end stage renal failure National Taiwan University Hospital Completed No outcome recorded
Phase not applicable1 trial
NCT03733652 Comparator Nov 2018 → Sep 2021 chronic hepatitis B virus infection Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Unknown No outcome recorded

Press releases naming this drug 6 releases

DateIssuerRelease
2017-10-28 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Novartis PARADIGMS data show children and adolescents with MS had an 82% lower relapse rate with Gilenya® vs. interferon beta-1a novartis.com
2012-02-23 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Vertex Announces 12-Week On-Treatment Data and SVR4 From Phase 2 Study of Interferon-Free (All-Oral) Treatment Regimen of INCIVEK®, VX-222 and Ribavirin in People with Genotype 1 Hepatitis C vrtx.com
2011-03-31 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Interim Phase 2 Data Showed Rapid Viral Response to VX-222 in Combination with Telaprevir, Pegylated-Interferon and Ribavirin Among People With Hepatitis C vrtx.com
2006-05-21 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Researchers Report Results for 28-day Phase II Study of VX-950 in Combination with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin in Hepatitis C Patients vrtx.com
2006-04-29 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Researchers Report Initial Results for 14-day Phase Ib Study of VX-950, and Pegylated Interferon, Showing Anti-HCV Activity in Combination in Hepatitis C Patients vrtx.com
2006-01-09 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated VX-950, Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor, Demonstrates Rapid and Dramatic Reduction in Viral Levels in Combination with Pegylated Interferon vrtx.com

Evidence & citations 32 cited values

Every value below carries the sentence it was read from. 87 sources stand behind the page.

FieldValueCited text
Known as interferon-alfa “temsirolimus plus bevacizumab versus interferon alfa (IFN) plus bevacizumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).” PMID 24297945 Dec 2013
40

“The optimal dose of interferon-alfa (IFN) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is unknown.” PMID 15010373 Mar 2004

NCT04534725

NCT06079879

NCT00095862

NCT00002470

NCT00003152

NCT00291369

NCT00065468

NCT00055874

NCT00005987

NCT00083889

NCT00005984

NCT00002504

NCT01220648

NCT00098618

NCT00002869

NCT00082862

NCT00004231

NCT00006237

NCT00002868

NCT00005847

NCT01094964

NCT00003063

NCT00110058

NCT00002847

NCT00363649

NCT01834963

NCT00003727

NCT00002598

NCT00005615

NCT00004903

NCT00004039

NCT00004088

NCT00072046

NCT00631371

NCT00004804

NCT00002771

NCT00004063

NCT07671495

NCT00002669

Known as alpha interferon “two cytokine treatments, Interleukin-2 (IL2) and/or alpha interferon (IFN), for patients with intermediate chance of response in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.” NCT00291369
Known as Human Serum ALbumin/interferon alpha2a ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT01997944
Known as IFN IFN (Interferon, Peg-interferon alpha-2a or PEGASYS®) is available as a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to light yellow injectable solution administered subcutaneously.” NCT02340962
5

“two cytokine treatments, Interleukin-2 (IL2) and/or alpha interferon (IFN), for patients with intermediate chance of response in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.” NCT00291369

“temsirolimus plus bevacizumab versus interferon alfa (IFN) plus bevacizumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).” PMID 24297945 Dec 2013

“The optimal dose of interferon-alfa (IFN) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is unknown.” PMID 15010373 Mar 2004

“Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) is the historic standard initial treatment for RCC.” PMID 20368558 Apr 2010

“bevacizumab, interferon alfa-2a (IFN)” NCT00719264

Known as IFN alfa “6 MU of IFN alfa (Roferon) given Sub Cutaneously three time /week” NCT00065468
Known as IFN alfa-2a “To determine the safety and efficacy of two doses of interferon alfa-2a ( IFN alfa-2a ) in combination with zidovudine ( AZT )/zalcitabine ( ddC ) versus AZT/ddC only in...” NCT00000754
Known as IFN-A “interferon alfa (IFN-A) subcutaneously (SC) daily beginning after WBC reduction” NCT00002771
Known as IFN-A2a “To evaluate the anti-HIV effect of single agent versus combination therapy with zidovudine (AZT) and interferon alfa-2a (IFN-A2a), as measured by p24 protein expression, viral...” NCT00000696
3

“To determine the safety and effectiveness of combining zidovudine (AZT) and interferon alfa-2a (IFN-A2a) in a treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in patients who have AIDS.” NCT00000687

“The two kinds are interferon alpha (IFN-A) and interferon alpha-2A (recombinant) (IFN-A2A).” NCT00001113

“The two kinds are interferon alpha (IFN-A) and interferon alpha-2A (recombinant) (IFN-A2A).” NCT00000725

Known as IFN-alpha “Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) is the historic standard initial treatment for RCC.” PMID 20368558 Apr 2010
Known as IFN-alpha-2a “combination treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-CRA) plus interferon alfa-2a (IFN-alpha-2a) was superior to IFN-alpha-2a alone” PMID 15961764 Jun 2005
1

“interferon alfa-2a (IFN-alpha-2a) in patients with untreated, advanced renal cancer.” PMID 19171708 Jan 2009

Known as IFN-α “a daily nasal spray of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) would reduce the incidence of COVID-19 or community-acquired respiratory viral infections in adult cancer patients.” PMID 40874769 Feb 2026
3

“CALGB 90206 was a phase III trial of 732 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) comparing bevacizumab plus IFNα (BEV + IFN) with IFNα alone (IFN).” PMID 34965953 Jul 2022

“Interferon alpha (IFNα) s.c., may work as a low toxic preconditioning regimens” NCT04072263

“imatinib 400 mg/d plus interferon alfa (IFN-α; n = 351)” PMID 21422420 Mar 2011

Known as IFN-α2a “This study compares the long-term efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN) α2a and cyclosporine (cyclosporin A, CsA) following suppression of acute attack by high-dose oral...” NCT03209219
1

“rituximab combined with 5 weeks of interferon-α2a (IFN-α2a) (3-4.5 MIU daily) as priming.” PMID 25686644 Mar 2015

Known as Interferon “IFN (Interferon, Peg-interferon alpha-2a or PEGASYS®) is available as a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to light yellow injectable solution administered subcutaneously.” NCT02340962
Known as Interferon Alfa ; IFN、 Interferon Alfa ; IFN、NCT01834963
Known as interferon alfa-2a “the effect of interferon alfa-2a (3 megaunits three times per week for 2 years or until recurrence) on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was compared...” PMID 14665609 Dec 2003
27

“Arm II (recombinant interferon alfa-2a): Patients receive recombinant interferon alfa-2a subcutaneously (SC) 3 times weekly for 12 weeks.” NCT00416429

“combination treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-CRA) plus interferon alfa-2a (IFN-alpha-2a) was superior to IFN-alpha-2a alone” PMID 15961764 Jun 2005

“in combination with Roferon-A (interferon alfa-2a) in patients with follicular or other CD20+ low-grade lymphoma.” NCT01609010

“1.2.1 Interferon Alfa 2a Interferon Alfa was the first drug shown to have bioactivity against HCV.” NCT00502970

interferon alfa-2a (IFN-alpha-2a) in patients with untreated, advanced renal cancer.” PMID 19171708 Jan 2009

NCT00000725

NCT00000696

NCT03733652

NCT00000764

NCT03209219

NCT00381953

NCT00001113

NCT00738530

NCT00719264

NCT02159482

NCT00796757

NCT00172809

NCT00000687

NCT00308607

NCT00000754

NCT04072263

NCT00000967

NCT00008463

NCT00520403

NCT02340962

NCT00433069

NCT00502034

Known as interferon alpha-2A (recombinant) “The two kinds are interferon alpha (IFN-A) and interferon alpha-2A (recombinant) (IFN-A2A).” NCT00000725
Known as Interferon alpha2 a “We propose to analyse the potential therapeutic effect of Interferon alpha2 a versus Steroid therapy with a control group for a 4 months period.” NCT00508040
8

“interferon-alpha-2a (1), 9 MU given subcutaneously three times per week, once per week for 6 weeks.” PMID 12074329 May 2002

NCT01513187

NCT00619268

NCT00204529

NCT00323505

NCT00167583

NCT00508040

NCT00483132

Known as Interferon-2A ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT01404936
Known as interferon-a-2a ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT01609010
Known as Interferon-alpha “a daily nasal spray of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) would reduce the incidence of COVID-19 or community-acquired respiratory viral infections in adult cancer patients.” PMID 40874769 Feb 2026
2

“Hepatic Arterial Infusion of 5-fluorouracil combined with systemic administration of Interferon-alphaNCT01834963

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is a standard initial cytokine therapy in RCC” PMID 15102658 Apr 2004

Known as INTERFERON-ALPHA-n1 INTERFERON-ALPHA-n1 (WELLFERON)” NCT00002868
1

INTERFERON-ALPHA-n1 (WELLFERON)” NCT00002869

Known as interferon-α2a “rituximab combined with 5 weeks of interferon-α2a (IFN-α2a) (3-4.5 MIU daily) as priming.” PMID 25686644 Mar 2015
Known as Peg-interferon alpha-2a “IFN (Interferon, Peg-interferon alpha-2a or PEGASYS®) is available as a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to light yellow injectable solution administered subcutaneously.” NCT02340962
Known as PEGASYS “IFN (Interferon, Peg-interferon alpha-2a or PEGASYS®) is available as a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to light yellow injectable solution administered subcutaneously.” NCT02340962
1

“PEG-IFN-α2a) (PegasysTM, Roche Pharma Schweiz AG, Reinach, Switzerland) 180 μg QW” NCT00433069

Known as recombinant interferon alfa “Biological: recombinant interferon alfaNCT00098618
1

“Biological: recombinant interferon alfaNCT00072046