[Therapeutic use of cytokines]

Cytokines represent a growing number of biologically highly active polypeptides, which exert important functions in haematopoiesis and immune response. Cytokines are predominantly released by activated lymphocytes and macrophages. Increasing insight into the role of these factors was accompanied by large scale availability made possible by genetic engineering. Several cytokines represent accepted therapeutical vehicles, others are still under investigation. To date the following indications are established part of therapy: Correction of renal anaemia by erythropoietin as well as interferon for hairy cell leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia. Especially the example of hairy cell leukaemia emphatically demonstrates the potency of cytokines, because a hitherto incurable disease can now be converted into durable remission. Recently neutropenic states have become subject to causal therapy by haematopoietic growth factors. Further cytokines offer promising capacities and will experience clinical testing in the near future.