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Review
. 2018 Nov 5;10(11):e3549.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.3549.

Interleukins Associated with Breast Cancer

Zacharias Fasoulakis  1 , George Kolios  2 , Valentinos Papamanolis  3 , Emmanuel N Kontomanolis  4
Affiliations
Review

Interleukins Associated with Breast Cancer

Zacharias Fasoulakis et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

A tumor consists of a group of cells with abnormal growth, capable of acquiring unique characteristics that provide them with the ability to display mercurial migration patterns, adapting to microenvironments and their chemical and physical factors. Interleukins are small proteins secreted mainly by CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes that mediate the "essential for cancer progression" interactions between cells. Interleukins are implicated in both the development and differentiation of different cells (NK, B, and T leukocytes) and, in general, play a major role in many diseases, including breast cancer, due to their unique participation in systemic inflammation and immune system modulation. During the past decade, interleukins proved to be decisive for future immunotherapy, predisposing a more reliable treatment with fewer side effects on normal proliferating cells. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the role of interleukins implicated in breast cancer progression.

Keywords: breast cancer; cytokines; immunotherapy; interleukin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Interleukins involved in acute and chronic inflammatory responses
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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