Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Interferon


Interferon’s Are important immune agents produced by the body during infection.  They respond to a peculiar kind of RNA called double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) produced by many pathogens. Interferon's activate many aspects of the innate immune response including natural killer cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes and they induce cells to boost their antiviral response. Interferon's and other immune agents are responsible for many of the symptoms people feel (fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, depression, etc.) when they have a cold.

One of the success stories of the biotech revolution interferon has received an enormous amount of study since researchers learned how to synthesize it in 1980. 

Several different types of interferon are available. Interferon alpha and beta have antiviral properties. IFN-a, used in combination with ribivarin, is reportedly effective in about 50% of hepatitis C patients. Half, however, relapse over time. Interferon-beta has been approved to treat multiple sclerosis.. Interferon-y is primarily an immune regulator that is believed to have relatively weak antiviral properties. It is used to potentiate the effects of the stronger anti-virals, interferon alpha and beta.

Interferon is also often used in combination with chemotherapy to treat cancer and sales top 5 billion dollars a year world-wide.

Interferon Drugs May Be Helpful in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Because they have antiviral properties and can help bolster an underperforming immune system. . Some studies suggest that a subset of patients have increased viral loads and immune deficiencies including reduced natural killer and T-cell functioning. Dr. Chia has reported (at least temporary) success treating patients with different combinations of interferons. (see below).

U.K. physician and researcher Dr. John Kerr is reportedly using gene expression results to target a subset of chronic fatigue syndrome patients who may benefit from interferon.

Dr. DeMeirleir targeted dysfunctional IFN pathways in his work on RNase L in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Dig Deeper!: RNase L and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Studies: Alpha 2a interferon significantly increased quality of life scores and natural killer cell functioning in ME/CFS  patients with reduced NK cell functioning (but not other patients) in a 1994 study. Dr. Chia reported another small early interferon study by Brook et. al.  was successful as well. Since neither study examined pathogens levels the patients under study may have had active infections. 

Dr Chia reported the following results using three kinds of interferon therapy.
  • Interferon alpha/Ribivarin;  Interferon alpha in combination with Ribavarin greatly reduced antibody levels to enteroviruses and improved fatigue levels and flu-like symptoms in 7 highly symptomatic patients but 4 of the 7 patients relapsed and their enteroviral levels rose four to five months after the treatment ended.
  • Interferon alpha/delta - Eight of 14 severely ill ME/CFS patients with enteroviral RNA in their blood returned to work on a half or full time basis after interferon alpha/delta therapy but most relapsed several months later. Heavy exertion was a common relapse trigger. Some patients responded well to another course of interferon. 
  • Interferon alpha/gamma - One patient receiving interferon alpha/gamma three times a week returned to full-time work two months later and was well for 14 months when she relapsed. Another patient had a similar response. Dr. Chia reported that eight of 14 severely ill ME/CFS patients with enteroviral RNA in their blood returned to work on a half or full time basis but most relapsed several months later.
Dig Deeper!: See the two-part interview with Dr. Chia.  
 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Patient's Report: A patient of Dr. Chia's reported that Dr. Chia's son, Andrew, benefit greatly from interferon but that he was still plagued with a sore throat and could not exercise consistently. A course of Chinese herbs (including oxymatrine) put him over the top and he is healthy today. She was told that about 50% of ME/CFS patients receive substantial help from Chinese herbs. Dr. Chia will be reporting on the efficacy of Chinese herbs at the March, Reno Conference.

In 2009 Dr. Chia announced that he is no longer using Interferon because he has found that Oxymatrine - an herbal preparation from China - is as effective, is much (much) less expensive and has fewer side effects.

Dig Deeper! Check out oxymatrine and ME/CFS

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Doctor's Report: Dr. John Chia reports about 50% success rates using combination IFN alpha/delta therapy in patients with enteroviral infections. Costs are very high ($5,000/month - for one month treatment?) and relapses are not uncommon over the next year. Patients with severe muscle pain appear to receive the quickest and most long-lasting benefits.. 

Dig Deeper!: Check out the two-part interview with Dr. Chia. .  

Side Effects. Interferon  can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, headaches, chill, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, mood changes and more. Dr. Chia noted that a severe increase in symptoms may occur early in the treatment. Side effects usually quickly disappear once the treatment is terminated.


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http://www.drugs.com/mtm/interferon-beta-1b.html Drugs.com Interferon

Brook, MG, Bannister, BA, Weir, WR. 1993. Interferon-alpha therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J. Infect. Disease 168: 791-792.

See, DM. Tiles, G.G. 194. Alpha interferon treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Immunol Invest. 25: 53-64.

JK Chia. 2005. The role of enterovirus in chronic fatigue syndrome. J. Clin Pathology 58: 1126-1132.

Cort Johnson. 2008. An interview with Dr. Chia.