Natural and Engineered Cytokines as Cancer Therapeutics

Cytokines represent a diverse group of soluble proteins that play crucial roles in mediating cellular communication in order to regulate cell fate, particularly in the context of the immune system. Because of their critical roles in controlling cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, activation, and survival, cytokines are heavily implicated in the development and progression, as well as in the prevention and clearance, of cancer. Using both native cytokines and engineered versions thereof, ongoing research in the cancer field endeavors to harness the antitumor activities of cytokines to develop targeted immunotherapies. This review surveys the biology of cytokines and their use in cancer treatment, covering several categories of cytokines, including interleukins, interferons, chemokines, growth factors, and hormones. Preclinical and clinical efforts with natural and engineered cytokines along with efforts to combine these molecules with other anticancer modalities are discussed, highlighting both the triumphs and challenges for these essential proteins in oncology applications.