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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Evaluation of the In vivo Antitumor Activity of Polyanhydride IL-1α Nanoparticles
Published on: June 28, 2021
Interleukin (IL-6) Immunotherapy
Toshio Tanaka1,2, Masashi Narazaki2,3, Tadamitsu Kishimoto4
1Department of Clinical Application of Biologics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Abstract:
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a prototypical cytokine for maintaining homeostasis. When homeostasis is disrupted by infections or tissue injuries, IL-6 is produced immediately and contributes to host defense against such emergent stress through activation of acute-phase and immune responses. However, dysregulated excessive and persistent synthesis of IL-6 has a pathological effect on, respectively, acute systemic inflammatory response syndrome and chronic immune-mediated diseases. The IL-6 inhibitor, tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, is currently being used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Castleman disease. Lines of recent evidence strongly suggest IL-6 blockade can provide broader therapeutic strategy for various diseases included in acute systemic and chronic inflammatory diseases.
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