Interleukins: the search for an anticancer therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To review each of the interleukins, identify their common toxic effects, and highlight the potential role of interleukins in cancer therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Research articles, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters related to interleukins.

CONCLUSIONS

Interleukins play a key role in coordinating complex immune defense mechanisms against microbe invasion and cancer. The process of genetic engineering has made an increasing number of these interleukins available as biopharmaceuticals for evaluation of their potential roles as a cancer therapeutic agent.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses are challenged to understand and manage better both common and unusual side effects of interleukin therapies and provide appropriate patient and family education.