Clinical studies with mismatched double-stranded RNA.

Mismatched inducer/activator therapy has demonstrated areas of definite clinical promise in its initial human trials. Indeed, the mismatched dsRNA may even prove more efficacious than conventional (exogenous) interferon therapy for several reasons including: (a) First, the potential for generating multiple species of interferons, thereby removing the possible necessity of targeting a specific type (or subtype) of interferon to a particular cell type, (b) Secondly, the known ability of the mismatched inducer to activate the intracellular mediators which are synthesized after cellular exposure to the various types of interferon, (c) Lastly, the recently demonstrated ability of the inducer/activator in combination with interferon to override acquired cellular resistance to interferon alone (13).