Ilmofosine, an alkyllysophospholipid, acts as an antiproliferative cyt
ostatic drug. The mode of actions of the alkyllysophospholipids can be
assigned to three principal effects: 1. Direct and selective cytoxici
ty through interference with the metabolism of membranes. 2. Activatio
n of macrophages. 3. Induction of terminal differentiation of tumor ce
lls. An impact on the metabolism of membranes results also in changes
within the cytokine network, regulating its balance by membrane bound
receptors with affinity to effector molecules of the immune system. Th
e influence on these molecules has been evaluated in vitro by measurin
g the modulation of IL1 alpha, IL1 beta, IL2, TNF alpha, and IFN-gamma
concentrations, representing key cytokines within the cytokine networ
k. The investigations assessed whole blood samples of 12 healthy refer
ences and 12 tumor patients. Furthermore stimulation assays were done
with an optimal stimulatory compound for every single cytokine, respec
tively. The results were as follows: IFN-gamma showed a general dose d
ependent inhibition by Ilmofosine, IL2 dose dependent inhibition in re
ferences and patients, TNF-alpha enhancement at low ilmofosine concent
rations especially in patients with consecutive inhibition at higher d
oses, IL1 alpha and IL1 beta similar course with initial increase at l
ow doses with consecutive inhibition both in patients and references.
The modulatory effect of ilmofosine on the cytokines investigated as i
mportant mediators within the immune system demonstrates a major aspec
t of the therapeutic potential of this interesting compound.