Autocrine secretion--10 years later.

The concept of autocrine secretion, its subsequent modifications, its application for understanding pathogenesis of disease, and its potential for developing new approaches to prevention and treatment are reviewed. Peptide growth factors (cytokines) act as local autocrine and paracrine mediators of tissue homeostasis. Many diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other fibrotic diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, are associated with aberrant expression and cellular coordination of the homeostatic action of these regulatory molecules. Modern biotechnology and pharmacology offer unique opportunities for the therapeutic prevention and treatment of these molecular and cellular lesions, using either cytokines or other agents that modify their synthesis and activity.