Open AccessInterleukin 12: Basic Biology and Potential Applications in Cancer Treatment
Author(s) -
Robertson Michael J.,
Ritz Jerome
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.1-1-88
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , interleukin 12 , interleukin 15 , immunology , natural killer t cell , interleukin 21 , cytokine , lymphokine activated killer cell , cd8 , interleukin 2 , interleukin , acquired immune system , cancer research , biology , interleukin 3 , cancer immunotherapy , immunotherapy , immune system , in vitro , biochemistry
Interleukin 12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that has potent effects on innate and adaptive immunity. Interleukin 12 induces interferon γ secretion by T cells and natural killer cells, enhances the proliferation of activated T cells and natural killer cells, augments the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, and supports the differentiation of Th1 helper effector cells. Interleukin 12 stimulates in vitro antitumor activity of lymphocytes from patients with cancer and in vivo antitumor activity in many murine tumor models. Current data indicate that CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, natural killer cells and interferon γ may contribute to the antitumor effects of interleukin 12 therapy. However, further investigation is required to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved in the antitumor activity of interleukin 12.