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Cytokines in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic B-cell malignancies

A review

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Abstract

Chronic B-cell malignancies are characterized by accumulation of transformed B cells of low proliferative index in lymphatic and extralymphatic tissues. Cytokines do not appear to play a role in the primary step of transformation. However, proliferation as well as inhibition of apoptosis of malignant B cells can readily be explained by cytokine effects. Clinical trials of interferons (IFN) and interleukin-2 alone or in combination have been performed in patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL), CLL, and low- and intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. While IFN alpha became standard therapy of HCL, responses in other entities were variable, ranging from 0 to 70% in selected populations. Combination of IFN and cytotoxic chemotherapy in general revealed no additional benefit as compared to chemotherapy alone. Perspectives for future clinical testing of cytokines in low-grade B-cell lymphomas are discussed.

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  1. Department of Medicine III, Division of Hematology, Johannes Gutenberg University Hospital, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55101, Mainz, Germany

    M. Schuler, C. Huber & C. Peschel

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Schuler, M., Huber, C. & Peschel, C. Cytokines in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic B-cell malignancies. Ann Hematol 71, 57–63 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01699247

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