NCIt definition : A class of naturally-isolated or recombinant therapeutic peptides used as antiviral
and anti-tumor agents. Alpha interferons are cytokines produced by nucleated cells
(predominantly natural killer (NK) leukocytes) upon exposure to live or inactivated
virus, double-stranded RNA or bacterial products. These agents bind to specific cell-surface
receptors, resulting in the transcription and translation of genes containing an interferon-specific
response element. The proteins so produced mediate many complex effects, including
antiviral effects (viral protein synthesis); antiproliferative effects (cellular growth
inhibition and alteration of cellular differentiation); anticancer effects (interference
with oncogene expression); and immune-modulating effects (natural killer cell activation,
alteration of cell surface antigen expression, and augmentation of lymphocyte and
macrophage cytotoxicity). (NCI04);
Currated CISMeF NLP mapping