Interleukins: the search for an anticancer therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To review each of the interleukins, identify their common toxic effects, and highlight the potential role of interleukins in cancer therapy.


METHODS
Research articles, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters related to interleukins.


CONCLUSIONS
Interleukins play a key role in coordinating complex immune defense mechanisms against microbe invasion and cancer. The process of genetic engineering has made an increasing number of these interleukins available as biopharmaceuticals for evaluation of their potential roles as a cancer therapeutic agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses are challenged to understand and manage better both common and unusual side effects of interleukin therapies and provide appropriate patient and family education.
Wheeler
V S
VS
Cancer Nursing and Biotherapy, San Diego, CA 92119-2414, USA.
D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007378:Interleukins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins