The Role of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Malignant Neoplasms

Abstract

This paper analyzes the literature data on the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of malignant neoplasms. Cytokines are biologically active, hormone-like proteins that regulate a wide range of processes occurring in the body. Cytokines determine the type and duration of the immune response, stimulation or suppression of cell growth, and their differentiation and functional activity. The complex of cytokines produced in the tumor microenvironment play an important role in the pathogenesis of malignant neoplasms. The spectra of biological activities of cytokines in most cases overlap. The same process in a cell can be stimulated by more than one cytokine, creating a favorable environment for the initiation and progression of cancer. The immune system can recognize transformed cells. Various cytokines correspond to specific pathways activated by receptors on the cell surface, which, in turn, induce intracellular signaling cascades that affect targeted cellular functions. Cytokine genes are mutually associated with oncogenes. Cytokines that are released in response to infection or inflammation or in the course of an immune response to an antigen can suppress tumor development. In turn, cytokines that attenuate apoptosis and promote invasion and metastasis promote tumor growth. Cytokines are involved in the initiation, development, and metastasis of malignant neoplasms through various mechanisms.