How Interferon Helps Your Body Fight Cancer

Foods, supplements, and lifestyle habits that support your immune system’s interferon natural defense.

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Integrative Cancer Educator, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

What Is Interferon?

Interferons are natural proteins your body makes to help fight infections and abnormal cells—including cancer. They act like messengers, telling your immune system to wake up, attack, and clean up. There are three main types:

• Type I (IFN-α and IFN-β): These help stop cancer cells from growing and spreading.
• Type II (IFN-γ): This type activates immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Type III (IFN-λ): Mostly helps protect surfaces like your skin and gut, with growing interest in cancer research.

Interferons are so powerful that some cancer treatments use them directly or try to boost their effects.[i]

Foods That May Help Your Body Make More Interferon

Eating certain foods can support your immune system and encourage interferon production:

• Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies like oranges, bell peppers, and broccoli help white blood cells work better.[ii]
• Carrots, sweet potatoes, and kale contain carotenoids that help immune cells release interferon and other cancer-fighting signals.[iii]
• Mushrooms like shiitake and maitake (and even the common white button mushroom) contain natural compounds, Beta-glucans, that activate immune cells.[iv]
• Garlic and onions support interferon production through sulfur compounds.[v] [vi]

The FREE downloadable Cancer Food Tactics Outline provides an anticancer food list.

Supplements That Support Interferon Activity

Some supplements have been shown to help your body produce or respond to interferon:

• Astragalus root is used in traditional medicine to boost immune strength and interferon levels.[vii]
• Melatonin, often used for sleep, also helps regulate immune responses and interferon production.[viii]
• Vitamin D3 and zinc are essential for immune cell communication and interferon signaling.[ix] [x]
• Coenzyme Q10 supports energy production in cells and may help immune cells release interferon.[xi]
• Beta-glucans activate dendritic cells and macrophages, leading to increased secretion of IFN-γ and other cytokines.[xii]
• Berberine modulates cytokine expression—including interferons—through NF-κB and MAPK pathways, which are critical for antiviral and antitumor immunity.[xiii]
• EGCG enhances type I interferon responses by activating RIG-I and MDA5 pathways, which detect viral RNA and trigger IFN-α/β production.[xiv]
• Magnesium is essential for immune cell activation, particularly T cells and macrophages, which produce interferons during viral and tumor surveillance.[xv]

Check out my Full Scripts and Pathway sources for these supplements.

Lifestyle Habits That Help Your Immune Interferon System 

Your daily habits can make a big difference in how well your body produces and responds to interferon:

• Exercise regularly—even walking or light movement—can increase interferon levels and help immune cells patrol for cancer.[xvi]
• Get enough sleep—your immune system resets and produces more interferon while you rest.[xvii]
• Manage stress—chronic stress can lower interferon and weaken your immune defenses.[xviii]
• Support gut health—fiber and probiotics help your gut produce immune signals, including interferon.[xix]

I have several downloadable anti-cancer lifestyle guides in the learning center.

Interferon Helps Target Cancer Stem Cells

Increasing interferon levels—particularly type I (IFN-α/β) and type II (IFN-γ)—plays a critical role in targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are often resistant to conventional therapies and drive tumor recurrence. Interferons activate immune effector cells such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, enhancing their ability to recognize and eliminate CSCs. They also upregulate pro-apoptotic genes and antigen presentation machinery, making CSCs more vulnerable to immune-mediated destruction.

Moreover, interferon signaling disrupts the self-renewal and survival pathways that sustain CSC populations, thereby reducing tumor-initiating potential and improving long-term treatment outcomes. These mechanisms position interferons as valuable allies in immunotherapy strategies aimed at eradicating the root of cancer persistence.[xx]

Interferon Supports Cancer Chemotherapy

Supporting interferon signaling during chemotherapy can enhance cancer treatment outcomes by amplifying immune-mediated tumor clearance and sensitizing malignant cells to cytotoxic agents. Type I interferons (IFN-α/β) and type II interferon (IFN-γ) activate interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that promote apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, and improve antigen presentation, making tumor cells more susceptible to immune attack and chemotherapy-induced damage. This enhancement not only helps eliminate residual cancer cells—including therapy-resistant cancer stem cells—but also reshapes the tumor microenvironment to favor immune activation over suppression. Interferons may also reduce angiogenesis and enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors, contributing to more durable responses and reduced relapse rates.[xxi]

Cancers That Respond to Interferon-Based Therapies

Interferon and Cancer: Final Thoughts

Interferon is one of your body’s most powerful cancer-fighting tools. You can support it through wise food choices, targeted supplements, healthy habits, and—in some cases—medical therapies. Always talk to your healthcare team before starting new supplements or treatments, especially if you’re in active cancer care.

Interferon Cancer References

[i] Yusuf, N., Allie, S. R., & Strauss, B. E. (2023). Editorial: Interferons: Key modulators of the immune system in cancer. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1327311. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1327311

[ii] Kim, Y., Kim, H., Bae, S., Choi, J., Lim, S. Y., Lee, N., Kong, J. M., Kang, J. S., & Lee, W. J. (2013). Vitamin C Is an Essential Factor on the Anti-viral Immune Responses through the Production of Interferon-α/β at the Initial Stage of Influenza A Virus (H3N2) Infection. Immune Network, 13(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.4110/in.2013.13.2.70

[iii] María, R., & Miguel, J. (2025). Carotenoids and Their Interaction with the Immune System. Antioxidants, 14(9), 1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091111

[iv] Case, S., Ledwith, A. E., Chen, S., Horneck Johnston, C. J., Hackett, E. E., Dempsey, E., Yadav, S., Wilson, J., Corr, S. C., Nagar, S., & Sheedy, F. J. (2024). β-glucans from Agaricus bisporus mushroom products drive Trained Immunity. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1346706. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1346706

[v] Bhattacharyya M, Girish GV, Karmohapatra SK, Samad SA, Sinha AK. Systemic Production of IFN-αby Garlic (Allium Sativum) in Humans. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research. 2007;27(5):377-382. doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/jir.2006.0124  

[vi] Cho H, Kim S, Lee S, Park Y. Effect of onion (Allium cepa L.) peel extract on natural killer cell and cytokine activity in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. *Nutr Res Pract*. 2024;18(1):33–45. https://e-nrp.org/pdf/10.4162/nrp.2024.18.1.33

[vii] Cho, W. C. S., & Leung, K. N. (2007). In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113(1), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.020

[viii] Lardone, P. J., & Guerrero, J. M. (2013). Melatonin: Buffering the Immune System. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(4), 8638-8683. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms14048638

[ix] Wang, L., Zhu, Y., Zhang, N., Xian, Y., Tang, Y., Ye, J., Reza, F., He, G., Wen, X., & Jiang, X. (2024). The multiple roles of interferon regulatory factor family in health and disease. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1), 1-48. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01980-4

[x] Read, S. A., Obeid, S., Ahlenstiel, C., & Ahlenstiel, G. (2019). The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Advances in Nutrition, 10(4), 696-710. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz013

[xi] Shi, G., Miller, C., Kuno, S., Rey Hipolito, A. G., El Nagar, S., Riboldi, G. M., Korn, M., Tran, W. C., Wang, Z., Ficaro, L., Lin, T., Spillier, Q., Jones, D. R., Snuderl, M., Song, S. C., Mar, A. C., Joyner, A. L., Sillitoe, R. V., Banh, R. S., . . .  Pacold, M. E. (2025). Coenzyme Q headgroup intermediates can ameliorate a mitochondrial encephalopathy. Nature, 645(8080), 466-474. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09246-x

[xii] Chan, G.CF., Chan, W.K. & Sze, D.MY. The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells. J Hematol Oncol 2, 25 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8722-2-25

[xiii] Zou K, Li Z, Zhang Y, et al. Advances in the study of berberine and its derivatives: a focus on anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects in the digestive system. 2017;38(2):157-167. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2016.125

[xiv] Xu, J., Xu, Z., & Zheng, W. (2017). A Review of the Antiviral Role of Green Tea Catechins. Molecules, 22(8), 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22081337

[xv]Wang L, Zhu Y, Zhang N, et al. The multiple roles of interferon regulatory factor family in health and disease. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2024;9(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01980-4  

[xvi] (2024). Endurance exercise causes a multi-organ full-body molecular reaction. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00585-9

[xvii] Houtveen, J. H., Kavelaars, A., Heijnen, C. J., & Van Doornen, L. J. (2007). Heterogeneous medically unexplained symptoms and immune function. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 21(8), 1075-1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2007.04.008

[xviii] Corona, A., & Kenny, P. J. (2025). Chronic stress drives depression by disrupting cellular housekeeping. Nature, 641(8062), 317-318. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00910-w

[xix] Spencer, C. N., McQuade, J. L., Gopalakrishnan, V., McCulloch, J. A., Vetizou, M., Cogdill, A. P., Wadud Khan, M. A., Zhang, X., White, M. G., Peterson, C. B., Wong, M. C., Morad, G., Rodgers, T., Badger, J. H., Helmink, B. A., Andrews, M. C., Rodrigues, R. R., Morgun, A., Kim, Y. S., . . . Wargo, J. A. (2021). Dietary fiber and probiotics influence the gut microbiome and melanoma immunotherapy response. Science. https://doi.org/aaz7015

[xx] Borden, E. C. (2019). Interferons α and β in cancer: Therapeutic opportunities from new insights. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18(3), 219-234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-018-0011-2

[xxi] Wang, L., Zhu, Y., Zhang, N., Xian, Y., Tang, Y., Ye, J., Reza, F., He, G., Wen, X., & Jiang, X. (2024). The multiple roles of interferon regulatory factor family in health and disease. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1), 1-48. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01980-4

[xxii] Yusuf, N., Allie, S. R., & Strauss, B. E. (2023). Editorial: Interferons: Key modulators of the immune system in cancer. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1327311. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1327311

[xxiii] Vogl DT, Shebli Atrash, Holstein SA, et al. Targeted interferon therapy with modakafusp alfa for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Blood. Published online December 4, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024026124

[xxiv] Borden, E. C. (2019). Interferons α and β in cancer: Therapeutic opportunities from new insights. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18(3), 219-234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-018-0011-2

[xxv] Borden, E. C. (2019). Interferons α and β in cancer: Therapeutic opportunities from new insights. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18(3), 219-234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-018-0011-2

[xxvi] Borden, E. C. (2019). Interferons α and β in cancer: Therapeutic opportunities from new insights. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18(3), 219-234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-018-0011-2

[xxvii] Wang L, Zhu Y, Zhang N, et al. The multiple roles of interferon regulatory factor family in health and disease. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2024;9(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01980-4

[xxviii] Pegram M, Jackisch C, Johnston SRD. Estrogen/HER2 receptor crosstalk in breast cancer: combination therapies to improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer. npj Breast Cancer. 2023;9(1):1-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41523-023-00533-2