Cytokines in tumour therapy

A. D.K. Hill, H. P. Redmond, D. T. Croke, P. A. Grace, D. Bouchier‐Hayes

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Cytokines are low molecular weight proteins released by cells of the immune system that have therapeutic potential in cancer. They include the interleukins, the interferons, tumour necrosis factor and the colony‐stimulating factors. Cytokines are capable of producing significant and sustained responses against a number of tumours. Clinically, the highest response rates to cytokine immunotherapy have been seen in melanoma and renal cell cancer. Current efforts aim to reduce treatment‐related toxicity while maintaining the efficacy of cytokines. The therapeutic potential of these agents may be increased with genetic manipulation by introducing genes encoding cytokines into tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes and certain tumour cells. However, immunotherapy remains time consuming and expensive, and further developments are necessary before it can have a definitive role in tumour management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)990-997
Number of pages8
JournalBritish Journal of Surgery
Volume79
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 1992
Externally publishedYes

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