any of a family of proteins made by cells in response to virus infection that prevent the growth of the virus. Some interferons can prevent cell growth and have been tested for use in cancer therapy
Word origin
C20: from interfere + -on
interferon in American English
(ˌɪntərˈfɪrˌɑn)
noun
a cellular protein produced in response to infection by a virus and acting to inhibit viral growth