IL‐3 in the Clinic

Abstract

Since the cloning of human interleukin 3 (IL-3) in 1986[1] and the demonstration of its proliferative effects on multiple hematopoietic progenitor cells, IL-3 has been widely studied to treat different states of bone marrow failure or hematologic malignancies, to mobilize or expand hematopoietic progenitor cells for transplantation, and to support engraftment after bone marrow transplantation. However, no condition for the clinical use of IL-3 has been established so far despite its theoretical advantages as an early-acting cytokine and in contrast to erythropoietin (EPO), G-CSF, or GM-CSF all of which have already been approved for several clinical modalities. Here we shortly review our current knowledge about the effects of IL-3 on the molecular and cellular level, summarize recent clinical studies with IL-3, and discuss further perspectives for the use of this cytokine.

Delaying treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for hematological malignancies: a prospective randomized trial

“…[23][24][25] In a recent study, the addition of interleukin-3 starting on day 6 after initiating G-CSF on day 1 after autologous BMT seemed to be superior to a treatment schedule which starts with IL-3 only after G-CSF application from days 1 to 6. 26 Timing of treatment with G-CSF in the phase of expansion of the myeloid cell lines seems to be more effective, than just in the early phase after transplantation.…”

Cytokines as potential biomarkers of liver toxicity induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L.

“…IL-3 is a key cytokine which promotes survival, proliferation, differentiation and maturity of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells, and thus it is widely studied to treat different states of bone marrow failure or hematologic malignancies (32,33). In addition, recent studies demonstrate that IL-3 participates in the response of the organism to various types of stress (34).…”

Expression of stem cell factor by osteoblasts in normal and hyperparathyroid bone: relation to ectopic mast cell differentiation

“…IL-3 is one of several complementary cytokines that affect osteoclast formation [29]; GM-CFUs are expanded by IL-3 synergistically with SCF [4]. Both SCF [5,15] and IL-3 [6] function in normal bone cell differentiation, although IL-3 affects several cell lines.…”