Overview of biological response modifiers.

The immune system is regulated by a variety of lymphokines, monokines, and colony-stimulating factors. Most have now been cloned and it is clear that these cytokines have a broad range of overlapping immunological, inflammatory, and physiological properties. Some of these cytokines might favorably influence the biological therapy of cancer and they have been collectively referred to by clinicians as "biological response modifiers." This review summarizes current knowledge about the molecular biology and biological properties of most of the common cytokines and provides a brief survey of their therapeutic potential in patients with cancer.