ReviewJournal of translational medicine2026
Interferon lambda in anti-viral defense and cancer: dual roles, mechanism and therapeutic potential.
Review in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- IFNλ4 Gene Variants Are Associated with CD8Biomolecules · 2026Article
- Differential host responses by the type I and III interferons in primary differentiated human nasal epithelial cells are a determinant of antiviral activity.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe type III interferon family, known as interferon lambda (IFN-λ), consists of four isoforms (IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, IFN-λ3, and IFN-λ4) and plays essential roles in immune responses. It mediates anti-viral and anti-tumoral activities and is distinguished from type I and type II interferons (IFNs) by its interaction with a unique receptor complex involving IFN-λR1 and IL-10 Rβ predominantly expressed on epithelial cells and selected immune cell populations. This interaction results in activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). MAIN BODY: IFN-λs exert anti-viral activities, particularly at epithelial and barrier surfaces, and have emerged as therapeutic agents for chronic viral infections like hepatitis C virus and influenza, providing an alternative to traditional IFN therapies with a more favorable safety profile. Beyond these anti-viral properties, IFN-λs contribute to tumor control by enhancing immune surveillance and modulating the composition of the tumor microenvironment. However, accumulating evidence indicates that IFN-λ cells may also exhibit pro-tumorigenic potential by promoting immune evasion and tumor progression in certain contexts. These opposing functions underscore the complexity of IFN-λ biology and the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms governing its actions, identify biomarkers that predict IFN response and to develop targeted strategies that maximize its therapeutic benefits, while minimizing adverse effects.
conclusionBy elucidating the complex interplay between IFN-λ and the immune system, this review provides insights into its dual functions in immune-related diseases, its potential as a biomarker for disease monitoring and prediction of therapy response, and its potential for the development of targeted therapies in cancer treatment and viral infections. However, to improve the patients' outcomes in infectious diseases and cancer management, a comprehensive understanding of its context-specific effects is required to optimize its clinical application.
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Registered trials
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