Cytokine-based therapies in clinical application
Sl. No. | Therapy | Type | Mode of action | Challenges | Clinical trials | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Engineered IL-2 | Pro-inflammatory | Enhanced activation of T and NK cells | Systemic toxicity | Phase I/II | [41] |
2 | Pegylated IFN-α | Pro-inflammatory | Prolonged immune activation | Limited efficacy in solid tumors | Ongoing | [42] |
3 | TNF-α conjugates | Pro-inflammatory | Targeted tumor necrosis | Off-target effects | Preclinical | [43] |
4 | Anti-IL-10 antibodies | Immunosuppressive | Inhibits immunosuppressive IL-10 | Immune-related adverse events | Phase I | [44] |
5 | TGF-β inhibitors | Immunosuppressive | Blocks TGF-β signaling in TME | Off-target inhibition | Phase II | [45] |
6 | IL-6R antagonists | Pro-inflammatory | Reduces tumor-associated inflammation | Potential for autoimmune reactions | Phase II | [46] |
7 | IL-12 gene therapy | Pro-inflammatory | Induces strong antitumor immune responses | Delivery challenges | Preclinical | [47] |
8 | IFN-γ therapy | Pro-inflammatory | Enhances macrophage activation | Short half-life | Ongoing | [48] |
9 | GM-CSF-based vaccines | Pro-inflammatory | Activates dendritic cells for immune priming | Inconsistent immune responses | Phase I | [49] |
10 | IL-15 superagonists | Pro-inflammatory | Amplifies T and NK cell cytotoxicity | Cytokine release syndrome | Phase I/II | [50] |
11 | IL-22 inhibitors | Immunosuppressive | Reduces immune evasion in TME | Specificity issues | Preclinical | [51] |
12 | Combination of IL-2 and checkpoint inhibitors | Pro-inflammatory | Synergizes T cell activation | Severe toxicity risks | Phase III | [52] |
13 | Pegylated IL-18 | Pro-inflammatory | Enhances IFN-γ production | Uncertain dosing | Phase I | [53] |
14 | Localized TNF-α delivery | Pro-inflammatory | Targets tumor directly | Local inflammation | Preclinical | [54] |
15 | IL-1 receptor antagonists | Pro-inflammatory | Blocks IL-1-mediated tumor growth | Potential immune suppression | Ongoing | [55] |
IL-2: interleukin-2; NK: natural killer; IFN-α: interferon-alpha; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-beta; TME: tumor microenvironment