Interleukin-6: a cytokine with potential diagnostic and therapeutic roles.
Interleukin-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine and may be a pivotal mediator in the pathogenesis of shock and sepsis, in modulating megakaryocytopoiesis, and in inhibition of tumor growth. Among characteristics of interleukin-6 are regulation of expression of other cytokines, induction of differentiation and proliferation of normal and malignant cells, and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo under experimental conditions. As a major inducer of the acute phase response, interleukin-6 is produced and sets off a chain of events as it acts on effector targets. Preclinical anti-tumor studies with interleukin-6 have provided rationale for probing its role in the therapy of malignancy. The probability is that in the near future interleukin-6 will have established clinical roles as a protein of diagnostic and therapeutic import.
Borden
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Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
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D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy
D015850:Interleukin-6