Institute of Applied & Experimental Oncology Vienna University
Cytokines are polypeptide regulatory factors which are produced constitutively and upon induction by a variety of cells including immune-, normal and also malignant cells. These factors represent a complex signalling system interacting between immune-, hematopoietic and other regulatory system(s). Cytokines are nowadays produced by recombinant DNA technology and represent an important tool for diagnostic and therapeutic measures both in nonmalignant and malignant diseases. Through local and systemic release by immune and/or malignant cells cytokines contribute to the pathophysiology of certain diseases. They acts as growth factors, immunoregulators and activators of the cytokine cascade and by this may contribute to metabolic abnormalities in patients.
The potential of cytokines to act as immunomodulators and/or growth factors is used for therapeutic interventions in malignant diseases.
Interferons (IFN-a, -b, -gamma), interleukins (IL-1, -2, -3, -4, -6), colony stimulating factors (GM-, G-, M-CSF) and also tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are at present intensively in pre- and clinical investigation in order to evaluate their spectrum of therapeutic activity, Monotherapy studies with IFN-a have already established the therapeutic potential of this cytokine. The recombinant cytokines represent a breakthrough in cancer therapy and present activities are focused on the optimal use of these agents alone or in combination for bio-, biochemical modulation in patients with malignant diseases.
Clinical aspects of cytokine research
