title: Interferon, interleukin-2, and other cytokines.
abstract: Cytokines are a diverse group of signaling molecules with immunomodulatory activity. This article reviews the application of cytokine therapy in melanoma with a focus on interferon-α and interleukin-2. In addition, it addresses the clinical considerations of these therapies including patient selection, reduction in toxicity, and combination regimens.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: ebuchbin@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Buchbinder
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: McDermott
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2
keywords: Cytokines; Granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor; Interferon; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-21; Melanoma