Colony-stimulating factors (CSF:s) activate and cause the cells to proliferate and differentiate into a specific kind of blood cell, usually white blood cells. There are different types of CSF:s and they have unique biological roles, indicating therapeutic benefits for a number of disease treatments ranging from different cancer forms, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases and as a result, many clinical trials targeting colony-stimulating factors are now well on their way.

Colony-stimulating factors (CSF:s) are secreted glycoproteins that bind to receptor proteins on the surfaces of hematopoietic stem cells, thereby activating intracellular signaling pathways that can cause the cells to proliferate and differentiate into a specific kind of blood cell, usually white blood cells. They play a part in the hosts´ response to injury and infection, and although they were originally defined as hematopoietic cell growth factors, CSF:s have been shown to have additional unique biological functions, suggesting that they could be used to target specific conditions. 

There is a great interest in targeting CSF:s in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, as well as in cancer. Most CSF compounds of today are pharmaceutical analogs of CSF:s, where Filgrastim, a recombinant form of G-CSF, is the most well known. These therapies can be expensive and require cumbersome administration. New CSF analogues are represented primarily by biosimilars where the originator drug has gone off patent.

Click to learn more about the CSF family, their mechanism of actions, role as pharmaceutical targets and how the novel iLite^® growth factor targets enable the study and targeting of human growth factor proteins and their receptors. 

MALMÖ, Sweden,– February 18, 2019

Svar Life Science, today announced the launch new interleukin cell lines adding to the iLite® portfolio of call-based solutions. These two new products are designed to be highly specific, with simple and quick protocols, large signal to noise ratio, high matrix tolerance and have high reproducibility.

”We are strengthening the cell-based interleukin portfolio with the addition of the iLite^® IL-2 and IL- 6. These cell lines broaden our offering within interleukin related disease areas, and they nicely complement our other assay solutions already appreciated by pharmaceutical clients” says Therese Segerstein, Product Manager Cell-based Solutions.

Interleukins have shown to have a pivotal role in the mediation of physiological response to infection and as they contribute significantly to the functional changes that accompany a particular disease or disorder, it has become evident that they represent a group of proteins with potential importance as therapeutic targets.

The iLite^® Platform offers cell-based assays that enable the study and targeting of human interleukin proteins and their receptors, while addressing these issues. The assays are designed as Assay Ready Cells and the cell-based assays can also be set up by our in-house laboratory Wieslab offering bioanalytical services in compliance with GLP and GCP.

This enables their broad usage in applications such as functional screening, functional characterization, QC lot release (potency) assays and neutralizing antibody studies. 

“We are always ready to assist clients in accelerating their drug discovery and development programs in the most efficient way by supporting with unique reporter gene assays and tailored laboratory service solutions” adds Therese Segerstein.

Learn more about "Why are interleukins interesting targets in biological drug compounds" in our blog post.

Interleukins have a pivotal role in the mediation of the physiological response to infection, immune response and contribute significantly to the functional changes that accompany a particular disease or a wide range of disorders. They are a group of naturally occurring proteins that mediate communication between cells and therefore have great potential as therapeutic targets. 

Several interleukins have already become successful treatment targets and many more are in early development or in different stages of clinical trials. These therapies are an increasingly important class of drugs in the treatment and management of many diseases and the main message is that interleukin therapeutics is a rapidly growing field with major pharmaceutical impact.

Click to learn more about the function and signaling of interleukins, potential therapeutic applications and the novel iLite^® interleukin targets.