First experiences and perspectives for the use of cytokines in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Numerous clinical trials have been carried out to investigate the therapeutic potential of cytokines in the management of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Relevant interferon-alpha activity is restricted to low-grade malignant NHL of both B and T cell subtypes, provided the tumor mass is low. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) accelerates hematopoietic recovery following myelosuppressive therapy, and reduces the risk and severity of infection. Thus, GM-CSF support makes does intensification feasible and may thereby contribute to an improvement of response rates and long-term survival. Among interleukins (IL) studied, IL-2, with or without lymphocyte activated killer cells, so far has only achieved stabilization of refractory NHL but this approach may still require further refinement. IL-3 has already been successfully applied in the treatment of NHL, augmenting neutrophil and platelet recovery after conventional salvage therapy or following autologous bone marrow transplantation. On the basis of these findings promising applications for the use of cytokines in the treatment of NHL can be envisaged.
Engelhard
M
M
Med Universitaetsklinik, Abtlg fuer Haematologie, Essen, Germany.
D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016207:Cytokines