Description
Studies on antigenicity led to the concept that molecules like the interferons were not immunogenic in homologous systems because antibodies are not normally produced against "self" antigens. However, naturally occuring or therapeutically induced antibodies to cytokines such as interferons, tumor necrosis factors (TNF), interleukins (IL) and various growth factors were found, which are generally thought to inhibit cytokine functions, and the appearance of such antibodies should therefore result in various degrees of cytokine deficiency. It is a common concept that the development of antibodies against any auto-antigen or drug is always undesirable. Such antibodies are crucial for the pathology of autoimmune diseases and inhibit the pharmacological effects of drugs including exogenously administered cytokines