title: Interleukin-21: biology and application to cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IL-21, a recently described common gamma-chain cytokine, can induce the maturation and enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) and CD8(+) T cells and proliferation of CD40-stimulated B cells. Exogenous IL-21 has antitumor effects in murine models via immunological mechanisms. In addition, IL-21 can also directly induce apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and other B cell lymphomas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examine preclinical and clinical data regarding anticancer therapy with IL-21. Published original research, abstracts and ongoing clinical trials are reviewed. A brief summary of IL-21 biology is also provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three Phase I and II clinical trials with recombinant IL-21 have been completed, providing data on the safety and efficacy in subjects with advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma. Numerous additional single-agent and combination therapy clinical trials are ongoing for a variety of human malignancies. B cell malignancies in particular warrant further clinical investigation.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Center for Health Sciences, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1678, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Andorsky
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Timmerman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21 / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000098546:Interleukin-21