title: Interleukin 2 and its receptor: structure, function and therapeutic potential.
abstract: In this review, salient molecular, biochemical and functional features of human interleukin 2 (IL-2), its membrane receptor, and its clinical relevance are outlined. We also describe experimental systems, where observed biological or pharmacological effects of IL-2 could be applied to corresponding clinical situations. In particular, IL-2 has been intensively studied in the context of cancer therapy. We discuss the rationale for the use of IL-2 in cancer treatment and our experience in this area. A better understanding of the IL-2 system and, specifically, the nature of signals transduced through it will allow us to manipulate the immune response in a variety of different ways, resulting in new approaches to investigation of immune responsiveness in general. This may have a profound impact on clinical medicine.
authors.affiliation: MRC Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malkovský
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sondel
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2