Cytokines
Cytokines are a group of proteins that occur naturally in the body. They play an important role in our 
. Interferon and interleukin are types of cytokines found in the body.
Cytokine drugs can treat a number of conditions including cancer. Scientists have developed a version of interferon to treat cancer that is made in the laboratory. This is called peginterferon alfa 2a. It’s also known as peginterferon or Pegasys.
Other cytokine treatments such as interleukin are still being tested in .
How do cytokine drugs work?
These drugs are a type of because they work by boosting our immune system.
In cancer treatment cytokine drugs work by making the cancer cells more visible to our immune system. This encourages our immune system to then attack the cancer.
Peginterferon to treat blood cancers
Peginterferon is a possible treatment for a group of blood cancers called . This includes polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET).
These cancers cause the to make more than the body needs. This can lead to problems like blood clots or a swollen (enlarged) .
Treatment with peginterferon helps to reduce the spleens size and the number of blood cells the bone marrow is producing.
More about peginterferon alpha 2
How do you have peginterferon alpha 2a?
You have peginterferon as an injection just under the skin (subcutaneously).
You usually have it once a week, but the frequency might reduce to every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your blood results. You continue to have peginterferon for as long as the treatment is working and you’re not experiencing too many side effects.
What are the side effects of peginterferon alpha 2a?
Some of the common side effects of peginterferon include:
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loss of appetite and weight loss
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tiredness (fatigue)
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increased number of infections
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difficulty sleeping
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mood changes
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headaches
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diarrhoea
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feeling or being sick
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flu-like symptoms such as chills, aching joints and muscles, and fever
