The successful use of intranasal alpha-2-interferon produced by recombinant DNA technology in the prophylaxis of the common cold was reported by Douglas et al. (1986) and Hayden et al. (1986).

Ezekowitz et al. (1992) demonstrated the usefulness of recombinant alpha-interferon (interferon alfa-2a) for inducing regression of life-threatening corticosteroid-resistant hemangiomas in infancy. The hemangiomas treated were those that impair the function of vital structures or cause life-endangering complications such as thrombocytopenic coagulopathy with giant hemangioma.The authors concluded that adjuvant recombinant IFN alfa-2b treatment given before or at the time of enucleation might be a treatment option for patients with uveal melanoma with high-risk factors for developing metastatic disease.