Combination therapies with cytokines

Sl. No.Combination therapyCytokine usedOther therapySynergistic effectChallengesReference
1IL-2 and immune checkpoint inhibitorsIL-2PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsEnhance T cell activationSevere immune-related toxicity[63]
2IFN-α with chemotherapyIFN-αDoxorubicinPotentiates chemotherapy-induced tumor killingLimited duration of response[64]
3TNF-α and radiotherapyTNF-αLocalized radiationSynergizes with radiation-induced cell deathLocal tissue damage[65]
4IL-12 and IL-2IL-12, IL-2Dual cytokine therapyAmplifies antitumor immune responseCytokine release syndrome[66]
5IL-6 inhibition and chemotherapyIL-6 antagonistsCisplatinReduces chemotherapy resistancePotential for exacerbating infection risks[67]
6IL-15 and NK cell adoptive transferIL-15NK cell therapyEnhances NK cell cytotoxicityCytokine-related toxicity[50]
7IL-10 blockade with PD-1 inhibitorsAnti-IL-10PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsReverses immune suppression in TMEIncreased risk of autoimmune diseases[68]
8TGF-β inhibitors and VEGF inhibitorsTGF-β inhibitorsAnti-angiogenic agentsReduces tumor vasculaturePotential for severe adverse vascular events[69]
9IL-1 blockades with radiotherapyIL-1 antagonistsRadiationReduces tumor recurrenceImmunosuppressive side effects[70]
10IL-22 inhibition and checkpoint inhibitorsIL-22 inhibitorsPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsOvercomes immune evasionOff-target effects on normal tissue[71]
11GM-CSF and cancer vaccinesGM-CSFPeptide-based vaccinesEnhances vaccine efficacyInconsistent results across patient populations[72]
12IL-18 and chemotherapyIL-18PaclitaxelEnhances chemotherapy-induced apoptosisSevere cytokine-related toxicity[73]
13IL-2 and adoptive T cell therapyIL-2CAR-T therapyAmplifies CAR-T cell efficacyHigh toxicity and cytokine release syndrome[74]
14IFN-γ with oncolytic virusesIFN-γOncolytic viral therapyEnhances viral-induced tumor cell deathHigh inflammatory response[75]
15TGF-β blockade with chemotherapyTGF-β inhibitorsCisplatinInhibits tumor progression and metastasisRisk of systemic toxicity[76]

IL-2: interleukin-2; IFN-α: interferon-alpha; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; NK: natural killer; TME: tumor microenvironment; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-beta