Cytokine Therapeutics for Infectious Diseases

Authors: Rodriguez, F.H.; Nelson, S.; Kolls, J.K.

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 6, Number 6, 1 April 2000 , pp. 665-680(16)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Cytokines are potent molecules, which function as growth factors and orchestrate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Over the last two decades the number of molecules in this class have greatly expanded, and as the biology of these factors is better understood, several of these factors have entered the clinical arena to support or augment components of the immune response. Recently the use of cytokines - growth factors has been studied in patients without a defective immune system but either have significant infection or infection with drug resistant organisms. The use of cytokines as adjuvants in the treatment of infectious diseases is reviewed both in the context of protein and gene-based therapies.

Keywords: adjuvants; Interferon Gamma; Chemokines; Colony stimulating factors; tumor necrosis; bronchoalvelar lavage fluid; granulocyte macrophage; human growth regulatory; Tumor Necrosis; alpha; Inflammatory protein; klebsiella pneumonia; Interleukin; sepsis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Mycobacterial infection