Le site de vulgarisation scientifique de l’Université de Liège. ULg, Université de Liège
Treatment by interferon:

nterferon-Beta

Alpha interferon attaches itself to a specific receptor on the hepatocyte; this activation of the receptor causes an enzymatic cascade within the cell, which stimulates certain genes (called “genes stimulated by interferon”) and it is these genes that produce a molecule with an antiviral action.  In this sense, interferon isn’t an antiviral but rather an immunostimulant since it stimulates our own defence mechanisms against the virus.

In people “resistant” to interferon, the cellular receptor isn’t capable of triggering an effective intracellular cascade and treatment by interferon is therefore ineffective. However, some C virus subtypes are more resistant to interferon. Resistance to treatment is thus a question of combination between the patient and the virus subtype.

© 2007 ULi�ge