Acute Renal Failure during Therapy with Recombinant Human Gamma Interferon

THE interferons are a group of glycoproteins with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities. There are three major types: alfa (leukocyte or lymphoblastoid), beta (fibroblast), and gamma (immune) interferon. Alfa interferon has proved efficacy in treating various human cancers.1 , 2 The gene for gamma interferon has been cloned more recently, and Phase I and II studies in adults have demonstrated it to be capable of producing antitumor effects.3 , 4 Interferon-induced renal toxicity is quite unusual, although acute renal failure with interstitial nephritis has been reported in one woman receiving alfa interferon for mycosis fungoides.5 We describe a 12-year-old child in whom acute renal . . .