[Human interferons: biological and clinical promises and premises].

Interferons have been demonstrated by animal experimentation to have antiviral, antitumoral and immune effects. Clinical trials of human recombinant alpha-interferon have shown a substantial therapeutic effect in various chronic leukemias and lymphomas. Studies concerning the mechanisms of the anti-leukemia effect of the various interferons have demonstrated that they play an important role in regulating the proliferation of normal and leukemic cells. These lymphokines interact with other important biological mediators such as interleukins, growth factors, factors associated with angiogenesis, etc. New therapeutic developments in oncology and in immunopathology may be expected in the near future.