Cytokine Therapy of Gliomas.

Cytokines are a heterogeneous group of soluble small polypeptides or glycoproteins, which exert pleiotropic and redundant effects that promote growth, differentiation, and activation of cells. Cytokine production plays a profound role in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, including the host of heterogeneous neoplastic cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix, which is essential for progression of the neoplasm. Depending on specific conditions, the cytokines can either upregulate or downregulate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. The crosstalk between cytokines and their receptors in the tumor microenvironment constitutes the target for various types of cytokine therapies that have been tested until now for treatment of patients with intracranial glioma.