The role of cytokines in shaping the future of Cancer immunotherapy

As essential immune system regulators, cytokines are essential for modulating both innate and adaptive immunological responses. They have become important tools in cancer immunotherapy, improving the immune system's capacity to identify and destroy tumor cells. This article examines the background, workings, and therapeutic uses of cytokines, such as interleukins, interferons, and granulocyte-macropHage colony-stimulating factors, in the management of cancer. It examines the many ways that cytokines affect immune cell activation, signaling pathways, tumor development, metastasis, and prognosis by modifying the tumor microenvironment. Despite the limited effectiveness of cytokine-based monotherapy, recent developments have concentrated on new fusion molecules such as immunocytokines, cytokine delivery improvements, and combination techniques to maximize treatment efficacy while reducing adverse effects. Current FDA-approved cytokine therapeutics and clinical trial results are also included in this study, which offers insights into how cytokines might be used with other therapies including checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to address cancer treatment obstacles. This study addresses the intricacies of cytokine interactions in the tumor microenvironment, highlighting the possibility for innovative treatment methods and suggesting fresh techniques for enhancing cytokine-based immunotherapies. PEGylation, viral vector-mediated cytokine gene transfer, antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunocytokines), and other innovative cytokine delivery techniques are among the novelties of this work, which focuses on the most recent developments in cytokine-based immunotherapy. Additionally, the study offers a thorough examination of the little-reviewed topic of cytokine usage in conjunction with other treatment techniques. It also discusses the most recent clinical studies and FDA-approved therapies, providing a modern perspective on the developing field of cancer immunotherapy and suggesting creative ways to improve treatment effectiveness while lowering toxicity. BACKGROUND: Cytokines are crucial in cancer immunotherapy for regulating immune responses and modifying the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, challenges with efficacy and safety have driven research into advanced delivery methods and combination therapies to enhance their therapeutic potential.