Oromucosal Administration of Interferon to Humans

The prevailing dogma is that, to be systemically effective, interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) must be administered in sufficiently high doses to yield functional blood concentrations. Such an approach to IFN alpha therapy has proven effective in some instances, but high-dose parenteral IFN alpha therapy has the disadvantage of causing significant adverse events. Mounting evidence suggests that IFN alpha delivered into the oral cavity in low doses interacts with the oral mucosa in a unique manner to induce systemic host defense mechanisms without IFN alpha actually entering the circulation, thus reducing the potential for toxic side effects. A better understanding of the applications and potential benefits of this treatment modality are under active investigation. This paper provides a review of the relevant literature on the clinical use of the oromucosal route of administration of interferon, with an emphasis on the treatment of influenza.