Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Interferons are small proteins released by virus-infected cells. They are a part of the cytokine barrier of innate immunity.
They make nearby non-infected cells resistant to the spread of virus. They also help the body fight tumour cells.
Step 2: Look at the options:
Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium. Interferons do not protect against protozoa, so (A) is wrong.
Ascariasis is caused by a roundworm, Ascaris. This is a helminth infection, so (B) is wrong.
Pneumonia in the NCERT text is a bacterial disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae), so (C) is wrong.
Step 3: Cancer:
Of the four, cancer is the only disease where interferons are used in treatment. Alpha-interferon acts as a biological response modifier and helps the immune system destroy cancer cells.
So (D) is the best choice.
Final Answer:
Interferons are used against cancer among the given options, so the answer is option (D).