The history of cytokines and growth factors development

ElsevierVolume 38, Issue 1, March 2025, 101612Best Practice & Research Clinical HaematologyAuthor links open overlay panel, Highlights•

Commercial development of cytokines and growth factors have enhanced medical care.

Targeted therapy of cytokine and growth factor receptors impact inflammatory illnesses.

Clinical trials are critical for determining safety and efficacy for growth factor development.

Abstract

The discovery and development of cytokines and growth factors represent transformative events in modern medicine, spanning from early observations of immune mediators to current therapeutic applications. This review chronicles the historical progression from the initial identification of permeability factors in 1926 to contemporary engineered cytokine therapeutics. Key milestones include the discovery of interferon (1957), the characterization of colony-stimulating factors, and the development of recombinant proteins in the 1980s. The field has evolved from basic understanding of immune communication to sophisticated therapeutic interventions, including targeted inhibitors and engineered cell therapies. While significant advances have been made in treating various diseases through cytokine modulation, challenges remain in managing pleiotropic effects and optimizing delivery systems. Recent innovations in bioengineering and cell therapy suggest promising directions for future therapeutic applications.

Keywords

Cytokines

Growth factors

Immunotherapy

Hematopoiesis

Cytokine signaling

JAK-STAT pathway

Recombinant cytokines

Anti-cytokine therapy

Molecular cloning

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© 2025 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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