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You are looking at the contents of a cancer drug and notice interleukin-12. What is the role of interleukin-12?

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Final answer:

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer by activating T cells and NK cells, and stimulating cytokine production, being an important component in cancer immunotherapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a critical role in immune responses against cancer. As a type of cytokine, IL-12 enhances the ability of the immune system to combat cancer by inducing the differentiation and activation of T cells and NK cells, which are crucial for anti-tumor immunity.

This cytokine also stimulates the production of other cytokines, creating a more robust immune response. In cancer drug formulations, IL-12 can help promote tumor regression and bolster immune surveillance, being part of a broader strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

Interleukin-12 is a cytokine signaling molecule that plays a key role in the immune response against cancer. It is produced by various cells, including leukocytes, bone marrow, and endothelium. Interleukin-12 helps stimulate the production of specific immune cells, such as natural killer cells and T cells, which can target and destroy cancer cells.

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