Efficacy of IL-2 in cancer therapy

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a protein that stimulates the immune system, specifically activating and growing immune cells like T-cells and natural killer cells that can attack cancer. In cancer therapy, IL-2 helps boost the body's natural defenses to fight tumors more effectively. It has shown benefits in diseases like metastatic melanoma and kidney cancer, leading to tumor shrinkage in some patients. While it can be powerful, IL-2 also has significant side effects due to immune activation. Overall, its efficacy lies in enhancing the immune response against cancer, making it a valuable option in certain cases.