Biological approaches to cancer therapy

Advances in the biological approach to cancer therapy are reviewed. The mechanisms of actions, clinical effects and uses of interferons, the first biological modifiers to be used, are reviewed first. The interleukins and monoclonal antibodies are also mentioned in detail. This review also covers the clinical use and production of lymphokine activated killer cells, which are used in conjunction with interleukin-2. A brief review of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes, which comprise a subset of lymphocytes found within solid tumours is given. In mice, tumour infiltrating lymphocytes have been shown to be more therapeutic than lymphokine activated killer cells. Tumour necrosis factor, a protein released by activated macrophages in response to stimulation by endotoxin, is also briefly mentioned although clinical data are disappointing. Finally, the role which oncogenes may play in cancer therapy and understanding is discussed.