ANTI-CYTOKINES - PROMISING TOOLS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IMMUNOTHERAPY

Anti-cytokines belong to a new family of biological response modifiers which interfere with the biological functions of cytokines. An imbala nce between cytokines and natural anti-cytokines may represent an impo rtant factor to explain the pathogenesis of some human diseases. Indee d, dysregulation of anti-cytokine serum levels was observed in cancers and auto-immune and infectious diseases. It was sometimes associated with disease activity and in some circumstances they may help to predi ct clinical response to treatment. Control of disease activity in sept ic shock and auto-immune diseases was demonstrated after administratio n of anti-cytokines such as soluble TNF receptors and IL1ra inhibitors . Therefore these agents are promising tools for diagnosis and immunot herapy.