The dual effects of interleukin-18 in tumor progression.
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) was discovered as an interferon-gamma-inducing factor and had a critical role in inflammatory and immune response. It stimulates natural killer (NK) and T cells and enhances Th1 immune response. These activated immune cells eliminate cancer cells and virus-infected cells effectively. However, IL-18 has also been found to promote tumor progression. Higher expression or secretion level of IL-18 is detected in various cancer cells in comparison with normal control, and IL-18 is able to induce angiogenesis, migration/metastasis, proliferation and immune escape. These dual effects and the mechanism of IL-18 need to be investigated further as it relates to cancer.
Park
Sunyoung
S
Department of Life Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Chungpa-Dong 2-Ka, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul 140-742, Korea.
Cheon
Soyoung
S
Cho
Daeho
D
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019139:Tumor Escape / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D020382:Interleukin-18