Interferons for Melanoma
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Melanoma Treatment: Interferons
Interferons are another form of biotherapy oncologists at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) employ to help eradicate melanoma. Your body naturally produces interferons in response to infection and disease. Manufactured forms of interferon have been shown to aid the immune system in more effectively fighting diseases like cancer.
Foreign, diseased or cancerous cells have special marks on their surfaces that allow your immune system to distinguish them from healthy cells. When the diseased cells have been recognized, the immune response sends fighter cells to destroy them.
Cells that have been stimulated in this way will begin to produce interferons and other natural substances that not only combat foreign invaders, which may cause infection, but also prevent the growth and spread of other diseased or invading cells.
Types of interferons available include:
- Interferon-alpha
- Interferon-beta
- Interferon-gamma
Alpha interferons are used to treat several diseases, including some types of cancer, such as melanoma, hairy cell leukemia, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Beta interferons are used primarily for multiple sclerosis treatment. Gamma interferons are used to treat chronic granulomatous disease.
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