Cancer Treatment Hopefuls: Cytokine Cures

To supplement a recent in-depth study on cytokines and growth factors conducted by The Science Advisory Board, members were asked how cytokines might most effectively be used to treat cancer.

ARLINGTON, VA (PRWEB) May 3, 2003 -- To supplement a recent in-depth study on cytokines and growth factors conducted by The Science Advisory Board, members were asked how cytokines might most effectively be used to treat cancer. While it is generally accepted by the biomedical community that because cytokines enhance immunity, they hold great promise as cancer therapeutics," observes Tamara Zemlo, Ph.D., MPH, Director of Scientific & Medical Communications for The Science Advisory Board, the mechanisms by which this goal is best accomplished is not definitively known."

Fifty-one percent of the 946 participants believe that cytokines will make cancer cells more susceptible to destruction by the immune response. In contrast, 23% of the respondents postulate that cytokines will directly inhibit tumor cell growth. Only 15% think that these critical components of the immune system will actually alter a cancer cell's growth patterns to promote healthy cell-like behavior.

Cytokines function as messengers of the immune system by regulating the intensity and duration of the immune response by exerting a variety of effects on lymphocytes and other immune cells. Cytokines also control cellular proliferation and differentiation. In the immune system, cytokines function in cascades making it difficult to study the effects of only a single cytokine in treating cancer.

Nevertheless, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of two cytokines-IL-2 and interferon-alpha-for treatment of cancer. IL-2 has demonstrated activity against renal cell, melanoma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Interferon has been effective against these cancers as well as against Kaposi's sarcoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia. However, there have been some problems with deleterious side effects due to cytokine treatments. The Science Advisory Board, however, firmly believes that further research in the field of cytokine therapy for cancer treatment is definitely warranted.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

The Science Advisory Board is an online panel of more than 14,700 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries. By convening electronically, Science Advisory Board members participate in online studies to voice their opinions on issues that directly affect the evolution and development of the tools and techniques of their professions. The Science Advisory Board is currently conducting ongoing studies in other exciting areas of the life sciences. Scientists can contribute their own views on the tools and techniques of their field by participating at http://www.scienceboard.net. The Science Advisory Board was organized in 1997 by BioInformatics, LLC (http://www.gene2drug.com), a research and consulting firm located in Arlington, VA.

CONTACT:
Dr. Tamara Zemlo
Director, Scientific & Medical Communications
The Science Advisory Board
2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 250
Arlington, VA 22201
703.778-3080 x 25 phone
t.zemlo@scienceboard.net
http://www.scienceboard.net

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