What are Cytokines?

Cytokines are polypeptides, which influence the proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and activation of cells. There are three areas in cancer that have special relations to these regulatory polypetides. One relates to the inhibiting cylokines with activated oncogenes, loss of tumor suppressor genes, emergence of drug resistance, and loss of intimate cell to cell contact. Secondly, the role of these regulators in tumor growth and in the development of various cancer metabolic abnormalities.

Thirdly, the use of certain citokines in anti tumor therapy. Many cancer patients have diminished taste and appetite. Factor affecting taste and smell are quite complicated. There are few studies, which indicate that there is no abnormality in taste perception. Though these variations are existing in the research findings, we should not disregard the loss of taste and appetite in cancer patients. These are also contributory factors for weight loss in them. Hypercalcemia is one of the most common metabolic complications. The common symptoms are nausea, muscle weakness, excess urine, elevated blood pressure, anorexia, lethargy, confusion and stupor progressing to coma. On the other hand, certain type of tumors reduces calicitrol concentration in conjunction with hypophosphatemia, thereby inducing an oncogenic osteomalacia. Muscle weaknesses of varying degree and back pain have been the frequent complaint.