Interferon

In the early 1970s, research into interferon was conducted at the CCU, in order to establish whether the naturally occurring protein could be used to help treat viral infections. Interferon was also explored as a possible cancer treatment. Interferon was also explored as a possible cancer treatment.

In order to investigate the potential of interferon, the MRC established the Scientific Committee on Interferon. The Committee consisted of MRC staff and members of pharmaceutical companies. Chaired by Alick Isaacs, the Committee studied how to produce interferon and how it could be used to prevent and treat infections.

Trials were conducted with interferon on volunteers to assess whether it would prevent colds and infections in virus-inoculated volunteers. However the scarcity of interferon, and the difficulty in concentrating, storing and manipulating the protein, meant that conducting experiments on a larger scale was difficult.

1960-1990

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