title: Cytokines in lung cancer.
abstract: Cytokines are hormonE-like proteins and peptides involved in the signalling between cells during immune response. They are produced mainly by lymphocytes (lymphokines) and mononuclear phagocytes (monokines). They are involved in both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. Cytokines fall into a number of categories: interferons (IFNs), interleukins (ILs) and growth factors. It has been indicated in cancer immunology the following cytokines are particularly important: IFNs, TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12. Interferons (IFN-gamma in particular) in cooperation with TNF-alpha and IL-1 inhibit proliferation of tumor cells and by their synergic activity with IL-2 induce cytotoxicity of NK-cells. They activate mononuclear phagocytes and by B lymphocyte stimulation augment lysis of cancer cells. TNF-alpha has mainly cytotoxic activity, leading to hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors. It is also an endogenic pyrogen which is together with IL-1 responsible for pyretic status in neoplastic disease. IL-1 stimulates necrotizing activity of TNF-alpha and augments cachexia by anabolism of lipid induction. IL-2, IL-6 and IL-12 induce NK and LAK-cell cytotoxicity. IL-12 inhibits metastasis formation. IL-10, by inhibiting synthesis of cytokines may lead to tumor development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumonology and Tuberculosis, Medical Academy of Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chyczewska
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mróz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007372:Interferons