Cytokines

Last updated: Monday, 06, August, 2007

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Item Process
Specimen

2 mL blood in plain tube.

Method

Immunoassay; bioassay; flow cytometry.

Reference Interval

Consult pathologist.

Application

Assays are available for many cytokines. These include the interleukins, haemopoietic growth factors, tumour necrosis factors (TNFa and TNFb) and tumour growth factors (eg, TGFb). Currently the diagnostic role of these tests is limited.
See also Erythropoietin.

Reference

Aggarwal BB and Puri RK eds. Human Cytokines. Their Role in Disease and Therapy. Blackwell Science 1995.

Bienvenu, J et al. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 38(4) 267 - 285 2000.