Lymphokines and cytokines.

Abstract

The area of lymphokines and cytokines is expanding at an enormous rate. Already the clinical value of the rDNA interferons is becoming more clearly defined. Interleukin-2 holds considerable therapeutic promise, but toxicity is a serious problem with this agent. Considerably more clinical development will be required before a reasonable evaluation of this agent is possible. The other newer agents discussed above are of great interest to clinicians and we look forward to a time when new and hopefully useful treatment options will become available for patients with cancer as a consequence of their clinical development.