[Present state and perspective of cytokine research]

Hum Cell. 1993 Jun;6(2):75-81.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Clinical usefulness of cytokines in cancer treatment has been described. Cytokines presently used in clinical practice are IFNs, IL-2, and hematopoietic growth factors. IFNs and IL-2 used with an expectation of direct antitumor effect of these cytokines have been proven to be specifically effective against certain types of tumors. Hematopoietic growth factors have been used as the adjuvant drugs in cancer treatment and proven to be effective against neutropenia and associated infections after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. Future development of new cytokines and trials on the combination among cytokines and cytokines with chemotherapeutic agents, will promote the usefulness of cytokines in cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Colony-Stimulating Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infections / therapy
  • Interferons / therapeutic use*
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neutropenia / therapy
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Colony-Stimulating Factors
  • Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Erythropoietin
  • Interferons