title: Common gamma chain cytokines in combinatorial immune strategies against cancer.
abstract: Common γ chain (γC) cytokines, namely IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21 are important for the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of lymphocytes that display antitumor activity, thus stimulating considerable interest for the use of cytokines in cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we will focus on the γC cytokines that demonstrate the greatest potential for immunotherapy, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21. We will briefly cover their biological function, potential applications in cancer therapy, and update on their use in combinatorial immune strategies for eradicating tumors and hematopoietic malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pulliam
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA.
authors.forename: Roman V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Uzhachenko
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA. Electronic address: sadunyah@mmc.edu.
authors.forename: Samuel E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Adunyah
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; Host-Tumor Interactions Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Electronic address: ashanker@mmc.edu.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shanker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit
keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Gamma chain cytokines; Hematopoietic malignancies; Immunostimulation; Solid cancers