Many cytokines are very useful therapeutic targets in disease.
Cytokines are a large family of more than 100 small proteins that function as short-range mediators involved in essentially all biological processes. They have been found to be important rate-limiting signals, and it is now known that blocking some cytokines, e.g., TNF-alpha, and cytokine receptors, such as human EGFR 1 (HER1) or HER2, yields effective therapeutics that address unmet needs. This Review Series surveys three chronic inflammatory disease areas and two forms of cancer and discusses the important role of cytokines and their receptors in these disease processes. Their role as potential therapeutic targets is also highlighted.
Feldmann
Marc
M
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK. m.feldmann@imperial.ac.uk
D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine