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alpha interferon

noun

Definition of alpha interferon

: an interferon produced by white blood cells that inhibits viral replication, suppresses cell proliferation, and regulates immune response and that is used in a form obtained from recombinant DNA to treat various diseases — compare beta interferon, gamma interferon

Examples of alpha interferon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 An early drug that the company had developed, alpha interferon, was a disappointment, Sato recalls. — Scott Kirsner, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s kind of amazing that Biogen is here for its 40th anniversary," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alpha interferon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of alpha interferon

1980, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for alpha interferon

alpha interferon

noun

Medical Definition of alpha interferon

: an interferon produced by various white blood cells that inhibits viral replication, suppresses cell proliferation, and regulates immune response and that is used in a form obtained from recombinant DNA to treat hairy cell leukemia, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, condylomata acuminata, and certain chronic hepatitides

— called also interferon alpha

— compare beta interferon, gamma interferon

More from Merriam-Webster on alpha interferon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alpha interferon

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