[BRM in the treatment of cancer]

Biological response modifiers can be divided into 2 groups; 1) immunomodulator (IM) or immunostimulator (IS) and 2) cytokines. Several IM or IS have been used clinically for the treatment of various cancers in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents. They are effective for prolonging the survival time or remission duration of cancer patients. However, no direct effect on cancer of the IM.IS has been proven. Cytokines such as interferons (IFNs) or interleukin-2 (IL-2) are effective against renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, hairy cell leukemia, multiple myeloma and other tumors even when they are used singly. IM.IS exert their anti-cancer effects through a combination of NK cell and macrophage activation or production of IFNs and ILs. Therefore, each effect is not strong enough to show a direct anticancer effect. Cytokines which are produced by recombinant techniques can be used in large doses and have been shown to have direct effects on certain types of cancers. The future approach is to devise the best combination between cytokines, cytokines and IM.IS, and cytokines and chemotherapeutic agents.