title: Immunotherapeutic approach for better management of cancer--role of IL-18.
abstract: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an immune-stimulatory cytokine with antitumor activity in preclinical models. It plays pivotal roles in linking inflammatory immune responses and tumor progression and is a useful candidate in gene therapy of lymphoma or lymphoid leukemia. A phase I study of recombinant human IL-18 (rhIL-18) in patients with advanced cancer concluded that rhIL-18 can be safely given in biologically active doses to patients with advanced cancer. Some viruses can induce the secretion of IL-18 for immune evasion. The individual cytokine activity might be potentiated or inhibited by combinations of cytokines. Here we focus on combinational effects of cytokines with IL-18 in cancer progression. IL-18 is an important non-invasive marker suspected of contributing to metastasis. Serum IL-18 may a useful biological marker as independent prognostic factor of survival. In this review we cover roles of IL-18 in immune evasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, applications for chemotherapy and prognostic or diagnostic significance.
authors: Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Osmania University, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India. hemaprasadm@yahoo.com
authors: Manohar Babu
authors: MB
authors: Kuppala
authors: Sunayana Begum
authors: SB
authors: Syed
authors: Srinivas
authors: S
authors: Bandaru
authors: Sreedevi
authors: S
authors: Varre
authors: Jyothy
authors: J
authors: Akka
authors: Hema Prasad
authors: HP
authors: Mundulru
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020382:Interleukin-18