Biological effects of IL-21 on immune cells and its potential for cancer treatment.

Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the IL-2 cytokine family, is one of the most important effector and messenger molecules in the immune system. Produced by various immune cells, IL-21 has pleiotropic effects on innate and adaptive immune responses via regulation of natural killer, T, and B cells. An anti-tumor role of IL-21 has also been reported in the literature, as it may support cell proliferation or on the contrary induce growth arrest or apoptosis of the tumor cell. Anti-tumor effect of IL-21 enhances when combined with other agents that target tumor cells, immune regulatory circuits, or other immune-enhancing molecules. Therefore, understanding the biology of IL-21 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and reducing its systemic toxic and side effects is crucial to ensure the maximum benefits of anti-tumor treatment strategies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the biological functions, roles in tumors, and the recent advances in preclinical and clinical research of IL-21 in tumor immunotherapy. Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Meichen Ma, Yuanyuan Xie, Jianhua Liu, Lina Wu, Yong Liu, Xiaosong Qin. Biological effects of IL-21 on immune cells and its potential for cancer treatment. International immunopharmacology. 2024 Jan 05;126:111154

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PMID: 37977064

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