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Traditional and novel virologic markers for functional cure and HBeAg loss with pegylated interferon in chronic hepatitis B

A systematic review and meta-analysis of pegylated interferon treatment found HBsAg decline at week 24 to be the best predictor of functional cure, while on-treatment HBV RNA levels were most reliable for HBeAg loss. Novel virologic markers were less effective than traditional indicators.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJan 29, 2026

Synthetic RIG-I-agonist RNA induces death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

A synthetic retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) agonist RNA has been shown to induce innate immune signaling and death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The addition of recombinant interferon-b potentiated this cell death, suggesting a potential new mechanism for treating patients with liver cancer.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2025

Study shows role of cells’ own RNA in antiviral defense

Researchers found that cellular RNA molecules help regulate antiviral signaling by activating the MAVS signalosome. This signaling pathway is crucial for coordinating immune responses against virus invasion. The study's findings suggest a potential role for RNA-based therapeutics in combating infections and autoimmune diseases.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2024

Could auto-antibodies be linked to severe COVID-19?

Researchers found auto-antibodies against type I interferons in severe and critical COVID-19 patients, compromising their immune response. This discovery highlights the importance of detecting these auto-antibodies in regular health checkups to better prepare for viral infections.

SourceChiba University·JournalJournal of Clinical Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2024

International trial shows that interferon could help reduce the spread of COVID-19

A clinical trial found that interferon can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 from a positive person to their household contacts. The study tracked 1,172 participants and showed that interferon treatment reduced viral load in households with high viral loads. However, it did not reduce disease severity.

SourceTelethon Kids Institute·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 25, 2023

The best drug combos to prevent COVID recurrence

A machine-learning study has found that individual characteristics, including age and weight, determine which drug combinations most effectively reduce COVID-19 recurrence rates. The study used real-world data from a hospital in China and identified unique treatment combinations for different demographic groups.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 13, 2023

NIH study finds that immunotherapy substantially increases survival of people with lymphomatoid granulomatosis

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that immunotherapy can prevent the progression of low-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis to high-grade disease. The treatment significantly improves survival rates for patients with the rare precancerous condition, with a median overall survival of over 20 years.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 4, 2023

Yeast used in production of cachaça can prevent asthma, study shows

A Brazilian study found that a strain of brewer's yeast can act as a preventive against asthma in male mice. Daily administration of the probiotic at a dose of 10 billion CFU/mL significantly reduced bronchial hypersensitivity and inflammation. However, airway and lung inflammation was not significantly reduced by lower doses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProbiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins·DateFeb 22, 2023

SARS-CoV-2 variants have developed resistance to human interferons

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus investigated SARS-CoV-2 variant interactions with diverse interferons, finding the virus has adapted to evade this key front-line defense. The study suggests COVID-19 clinical trials on interferons may need to be reinterpreted based on circulating variants.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2022

Model (virus) behavior

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh used computational modeling to investigate the immune response to avian flu. They found that the levels of interferon may be responsible for its more severe presentation and could hold the key to treating it.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalViruses·DateJul 21, 2022

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis publishes method for the fast detection of a key antiviral

Researchers developed a novel nanobody-based detection method for recombinant human interferon α2b (rhIFNα2b), which has a lower detection limit than existing methods. The assay's operation time was shortened from two days to a few minutes, making it suitable for rapid market counterfeit detection and early diagnosis of hepatitis.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Study finds healthy-appearing lupus skin predisposed to flares, rashes

Researchers found that normal-appearing lupus skin contains the same inflammatory signals as skin with rashes, suggesting a primed state for inflammation. The study's findings provide new insights into how UV light triggers rashes in lupus patients and highlight the potential for precision medicine in treating the disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2022

Researchers find natural mechanism to sensitize cancer to immunotherapy

A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2022

Dual functions of the Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 2 Cytokine

The IL-1RL2 cytokine has been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and IBD, while also promoting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Its role in controlling infection, including COVID-19 pathology, highlights its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Researchers of the University of Kent and Goethe-University Frankfurt find explanation why the Omicron variant causes less severe disease

A new study reveals that the Omicron variant is sensitive to inhibition by the interferon response, an unspecific immune reaction present in all body cells. This provides the first explanation for why COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron are less likely to experience severe disease.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCell Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022

Why do people with diabetes develop severe COVID-19?

A study from Michigan Medicine found that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop a cytokine storm during coronavirus infection due to the enzyme SETDB2. Administering interferon beta increased SETDB2 and decreased inflammatory cytokines in diabetic mice, offering potential therapy for severe COVID-19.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2021

Common cold combats COVID-19

A study by Yale researchers found that the common cold virus can trigger an immune response that halts replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Exposure to rhinovirus was shown to protect against COVID-19 infection, with the immune system responding rapidly to the threat.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 15, 2021