干扰素可产生一种对中枢神经系统的可逆性毒性。作者报道曾对十名患有常规治疗无效的乳腺癌妇女进行了肌注干扰素治疗(每天或每周三次)给予干扰素一小时内出现流感样症状,一周后出现昏睡、厌食和恶心及至第三周,其中六名病人发展为深度昏睡和嗜眠,使她们一天要花20小时睡眠,并导致体重减轻。有些病人也产生一些精神紊乱、精力不集中及感觉异常。当停用干扰素后,所有症状即可消失,而且病人以后再使用低剂量干扰素即可 Interferons produce a reversible toxicity to the central nervous system. The authors report that flu-like symptoms developed within 1 hour of intramuscular IFN treatment (three times a day or three times weekly) in women with breast cancer who were ineffective with conventional treatment. One week later, they developed lethargy, anorexia and nausea, For three weeks, six of the patients developed deep sleepiness and narcolepsy, leaving them to spend 20 hours a day sleeping and causing weight loss. Some patients also have some mental disorders, poor concentration and abnormal sensations. When the disabled interferon, all the symptoms disappear, and the patient can then use low-dose interferon