Question

A recent study showed that cancer patients treated with synthetic pro-inflammatory cytokines resolved their cancers at higher rates than those treated with placebo controls.
A. Briefly explain how you understand this result and how it makes sense based on your previous 440/540 knowledge coupled with your new understanding of cancer immunology.
B. Name at least ONE SPECIFIC pro-inflammatory cytokine you think could have the effect indicated above.

Answer 1

A. Synthetic proinflammatory cytokines in cancer:-

Cytokines are released in response to infection, inflammation and cellular stresses can function to inhibit cancer development and progression.
Cytokines help to boost anti-cancer activity by sending signals that can help make abnormal cells ( cancer cell ) die and normal cells live longer.
Inflammatory conditions in some tissues increase the risk of cancer. Cytokines promote angiogenesis, metastasis of adaptive immunity and changing response to hormones and to chemotherapeutic agents.

B. There are many examples of cytokines IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IFN (Interferon).

Interleukin-6 is antiapoptotic inflammatory cytokine useful in inhibit the cancer progression.