The immune system and gynaecological cancer

There have been major advances in our understanding of the cellular and humoral immune mechanisms involved in antitumour activities. The characterization of soluble mediators of the immune response and their synthesis as recombinant proteins has led to an explosion of research activity concerning their role as antitumour agents and also as contributors to the pathogenesis of cancer. It is evident that cytokine production is not restricted to cells of the immune system, and that cytokines are involved in a variety of cell regulatory processes ranging from embryonic development to tissue differentiation. Their production by immune cells may enable interactions between the immune system and other homeostatic systems of the body. The therapeutic role of some cytokines such as the interferons and IL-2 in the routine management of gynaecological cancers needs to be investigated further because of their promise as antitumour agents. The study of cytokine production and cytokine receptor expression by cancers is potentially of great therapeutic value. Identification of cytokines that contribute to tumour progression may paradoxically lead to the treatment of cancers by agents that antagonize their biological effects and to rationalization of future trials of cytokine therapy.