Interleukins
18 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- AldesleukinAldesleukin is a recombinant form of interleukin‑2 (IL‑2) that stimulates proliferation and activation of immune cells. It is administered by injection (intravenous or subcutaneous) and is approved for clinical use as a cytokine therapy. Research explores its ability to expand regulatory T cells at low doses for cardiovascular inflammation, to boost anti‑tumour activity in renal cell carcinoma and in adoptive cell therapies for glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, and to modulate autoimmune myositis.
- AnakinraAnakinra is a recombinant interleukin‑1 receptor antagonist approved for inflammatory diseases and administered subcutaneously or intravenously. It blocks IL‑1 signaling and is being repurposed for hyperinflammatory conditions such as secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS), sepsis with macrophage activation‑like features, and refractory status epilepticus linked to cytokine storms.
- BempegaldesleukinBempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG, NKTR‑214) is an investigational, pegylated interleukin‑2 (IL‑2) prodrug designed to boost anti‑tumor immunity. It is being studied in combination with the PD‑1 inhibitor nivolumab for various advanced cancers, including sarcoma, urothelial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The goal is to enhance effector T‑cell and natural‑killer‑cell activity while limiting regulatory T‑cell expansion, thereby improving checkpoint‑inhibitor responses.
- BinetrakinBinetrakin is a recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4) that was investigated as an anticancer agent and immunomodulator. It was studied in clinical trials for various malignancies including renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer, but development was largely discontinued due to limited efficacy and significant toxicity profile.
- Cardiotrophin 1Cardiotrophin‑1 (CT‑1) is a member of the interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) family of cytokines that signals through the gp130 receptor complex. It exerts pleiotropic effects on the heart, liver, kidney, nervous system and metabolic tissues. In research settings CT‑1 is investigated for its cardioprotective, anti‑apoptotic, metabolic and immunomodulatory properties, as well as its role in cancer‑related inflammation. The compound is not an approved drug; it is used experimentally via intravenous or subcutaneous routes.
- Cintredekin besudotoxCintredekin besudotox (IL‑13‑PE38QQR) is an investigational recombinant fusion toxin that couples human interleukin‑13 to a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin. It is designed for intracerebral convection‑enhanced delivery (CED) to target glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and other malignant gliomas that over‑express IL‑13 receptor alpha‑2.
- Denileukin diftitoxDenileukin diftitox is a recombinant fusion protein that couples fragments of diphtheria toxin to human interleukin‑2. It is approved for intravenous use in patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma (CTCL) and has been investigated in other IL‑2‑receptor‑positive hematologic cancers. By targeting cells that express the high‑ or intermediate‑affinity IL‑2 receptor, it delivers a cytotoxic payload that halts protein synthesis and induces rapid cell death.
- Edodekin alfaEdodekin alfa is an investigational recombinant human interleukin‑13 (IL‑13) mutein being explored for therapeutic use. It is classified as an IL‑13 antagonist cytokine and is listed in clinical trial databases, but no published trial outcomes are available. The compound is administered locally via convection‑enhanced delivery, intralesional or intratumoral injection.
- Efineptakin alfaEfineptakin alfa (also called NT‑I7, GX‑I7, or rhIL‑7‑hyFc) is an investigational long‑acting recombinant human interleukin‑7 fused to an Fc fragment. It is being studied as an immune‑modulating agent to correct T‑cell deficiency and boost antitumor immunity in cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma, solid tumours, and high‑grade gliomas.
- Eflepedocokin alfaEflepedocokin alfa (UTTR1147A) is an investigational recombinant fusion protein that links human interleukin‑22 to the Fc fragment of IgG4. Designed to activate the IL‑22 receptor on epithelial cells, it is being explored for conditions characterized by epithelial injury such as inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. Early‑phase human studies have examined intravenous and subcutaneous dosing, focusing on safety, pharmacokinetics, and biomarker activation.
- Human interleukin-6Human interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates immune, inflammatory and hematopoietic processes. It is produced by many cell types, notably bone‑marrow stromal cells, and circulates in the blood where it can act through membrane‑bound or soluble IL‑6 receptors. Research has linked IL‑6 to the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory conditions such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and to the growth and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells.
- Interleukin-1 alpha, human recombinantHuman recombinant interleukin‑1 alpha (IL‑1α) is a laboratory‑produced version of a natural cytokine belonging to the interleukin‑1 family. It acts as a potent pro‑inflammatory mediator and is employed chiefly in research to explore immune signaling, inflammation, and cytokine‑driven disease mechanisms. The compound is not approved for therapeutic use; its primary applications are in vitro assays, animal models, and diagnostic tests such as those for drug‑induced pneumonitis.
- Interleukin-15, human recombinantHuman recombinant interleukin‑15 (IL‑15) is an investigational cytokine being explored primarily as an immune‑stimulating agent in cancer immunotherapy. It acts to expand and activate natural killer (NK) cells and CD8⁺ T cells, and is incorporated into a variety of experimental approaches, including direct protein infusion, engineered NK or CAR‑T cells, and oncolytic viruses.
- Lorukafusp alfaLorukafusp alfa (also known as Anti‑CD8/IL‑2 immunocytokine, CD8‑IL2, RG6279) is an investigational fusion protein that couples an anti‑CD8 antibody fragment to interleukin‑2. Designed to deliver IL‑2 signaling directly to CD8⁺ T cells, it aims to boost the number and function of these cytotoxic lymphocytes. Preclinical studies suggest potential applications in cancer immunotherapy and chronic viral infections such as hepatitis B, where reactivating exhausted CD8⁺ T cells could improve disease control.
- MuplestimMuplestim (recombinant human interleukin‑3, rhIL‑3) is an investigational cytokine that acts as a hematopoietic growth factor. Early clinical work has explored its use to stimulate blood‑cell production in conditions such as Diamond‑Blackfan anemia, chemotherapy‑induced marrow suppression, myelodysplastic syndromes, and as an adjunct in bone‑marrow transplantation. The compound is administered intravenously or subcutaneously and remains experimental, with research focused on its ability to raise neutrophil, platelet and other myeloid lineages.
- OprelvekinOprelvekin is a recombinant form of human interleukin‑11 (IL‑11) approved in the United States in 1997 for the prevention of severe chemotherapy‑induced thrombocytopenia and to reduce platelet‑transfusion requirements in patients with non‑myeloid malignancies. It is administered by subcutaneous injection and acts as a platelet‑growth factor, shortening the duration of low platelet counts after myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
- PegilodecakinPegilodecakin is an investigational pegylated form of interleukin‑10 (IL‑10) administered by subcutaneous injection. Developed as an immunoregulatory cytokine, it is being evaluated in early‑phase clinical trials for solid tumours, most notably advanced renal cell carcinoma, where it is used alone or together with checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine‑kinase inhibitors, or chemotherapy.
- TeceleukinTeceleukin (recombinant interleukin‑2) is a cytokine‑based immunotherapy approved for prescription use. It is administered intravenously or subcutaneously to stimulate the immune system against certain malignancies, most notably metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Clinical investigations have also explored its role in combination regimens and adoptive cell therapies for advanced cancers such as neuroblastoma.