Mechanisms and Αpplications of Ιnterleukins in Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Over the past years, advances in cancer immunotherapy have resulted in innovative and novel approaches in molecular cancer diagnostics and cancer therapeutic procedures. However, due to tumor heterogeneity and inter-tumoral discrepancy in tumor immunity, the clinical benefits are quite restricted. The goal of this review is to evaluate the major cytokines-interleukins involved in cancer immunotherapy and project their basic biochemical and clinical applications. Emphasis will be given to new cytokines in pre-clinical development, and potential directions for future investigation using cytokines. Furthermore, current interleukin-based approaches and clinical trial data from combination cancer immunotherapies will also be discussed. It appears that continuously increasing comprehension of cytokine-induced effects, cancer stemness, immunoediting, immune-surveillance as well as understanding of molecular interactions emerging in the tumor microenvironment and involving microRNAs, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation, and DNA methylation processes may hold much promise in improving anti-tumor immunity. To this end, the emerging in-depth knowledge supports further studies on optimal synergistic combinations and additional adjuvant therapies to realize the full potential of cytokines as immunotherapeutic agents.

Ultrasensitive Label-Free Sensing of IL-6 Based on PASE Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Micro-Arrays with RNA-Aptamers as Molecular Recognition Elements

“…IL-6 plays a crucial role in tumor microenvironment regulation in a number of cancers, including breast, oral, prostate, and pancreatic cancers [26,27,28,29,30,31,32]. Higher levels of IL-6 in the blood of patients have been associated with advanced/metastatic cancers [26,33,34,35].…”

The ETS factor ESE3/EHF represses IL-6 preventing STAT3 activation and expansion of the prostate cancer stem-like compartment

“…Thus, a deep understanding of factors regulating IL-6 expression might be relevant for the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting its activity [28, 29]. We have previously reported that IL-6 is induced in prostate cancer cells and that the ETS factor ESE1 was an important mediator enhancing the NFKb response [30].…”

Cloning, expression and cytotoxicity of granulin A, a novel polypeptide contained in human progranulin

“…For many years, researchers have been searching for anticancer agents from the human body, since peptides from humans display little immunogenicity. Several peptides from human sources have been successfully used clinically for treatment of human cancer, such as interferons and interleukins (22)(23)(24). However, these kinds of peptides usually do not inhibit cancer cell growth directly; they affect the growth of tumors via an immune effect.…”