Schrader J W, Leslie K B, Orban P, Ziltener H
Biomedical Research Centre, UBC., Vancouver, Canada.
Prog Clin Biol Res. 1990;354B:19-27.
In summary, molecular biology and advances in biochemical and biological techniques have led to the rapid characterization of a large number of cytokines. These are released in response to injury or invasion of the body and regulate the growth and function of a broad variety of cell types. Many cytokines are now in clinical trials and show promise in modulating the defence and repair responses of the body. The direct application of these cytokines to the killing of tumor cells remains problematic. However, it does seem likely that the use of these substances in a para-physiological mode i.e. in activating defence mechanisms and in particular stimulating hemopoetins may be a very important adjunct to more conventional means of tumor therapy such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The hemopoietic growth factors show particular promise here, although other substances such as IL-1 or IL-6 may find similar applications. In the future more information on the direct role of cytokines in the development of particular tumors may lead to the development and use of cytokine antagonists with effects directed at tumor cells or their environment.
总之，分子生物学以及生化与生物技术的进展使得大量细胞因子得以快速鉴定。这些细胞因子是机体受到损伤或入侵时释放的，可调节多种细胞类型的生长和功能。目前许多细胞因子正处于临床试验阶段，在调节机体防御和修复反应方面显示出前景。将这些细胞因子直接用于杀伤肿瘤细胞仍存在问题。然而，以旁生理模式使用这些物质，即激活防御机制，特别是刺激造血因子，似乎很可能成为化疗或放疗等更传统肿瘤治疗手段的非常重要的辅助手段。造血生长因子在此尤其有前景，尽管白细胞介素-1或白细胞介素-6等其他物质可能也有类似应用。未来，关于细胞因子在特定肿瘤发生发展中的直接作用的更多信息，可能会促使开发并使用针对肿瘤细胞或其环境的细胞因子拮抗剂。
