Data from animal models indicate that interleukin-2 is potentially valuable in the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases of viral, fungal, protozoal, bacterial, and mycobacterial origin. The role of interleukin-2 in resistance to infection with human immunodeficiency virus or Mycobacterium leprae (the causative agent of leprosy) has recently been studied in detail. Data from animal models and clinical trials indicate that relatively low doses of interleukin-2 effectively stabilize or reverse the course of these infections. The recent characterization of Th1 and Th2 helper T cells, and their relationship to the control of infectious diseases, are revealing the mechanisms involved in producing disease. Increased understanding of these mechanisms may help extend interleukin-2 therapy to other clinical applications.
BT - Current opinion in biotechnology C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7764471?dopt=Abstract DA - 1993 Dec DO - 10.1016/0958-1669(93)90056-3 IS - 6 J2 - Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. LA - eng N2 -Data from animal models indicate that interleukin-2 is potentially valuable in the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases of viral, fungal, protozoal, bacterial, and mycobacterial origin. The role of interleukin-2 in resistance to infection with human immunodeficiency virus or Mycobacterium leprae (the causative agent of leprosy) has recently been studied in detail. Data from animal models and clinical trials indicate that relatively low doses of interleukin-2 effectively stabilize or reverse the course of these infections. The recent characterization of Th1 and Th2 helper T cells, and their relationship to the control of infectious diseases, are revealing the mechanisms involved in producing disease. Increased understanding of these mechanisms may help extend interleukin-2 therapy to other clinical applications.
PY - 1993 SP - 722 EP - 6 T2 - Current opinion in biotechnology TI - The use of recombinant human interleukin-2 in treating infectious diseases. VL - 4 SN - 0958-1669 ER -