These findings identify further value in the IFNγ test as a useful research tool, as it may help us to target studies at animals and groups that are most likely to succumb to more progressive disease.
Th1 or Type 1 cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are generally associated with resistance to infection, whereas Th2 or Type 2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10 are associated with progressive disease.
IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in peripheral blood were significantly increased among the clinical responders (<i>p</i> < 0.05) while IL-6 and IL-10 were elevated among those with progressive disease (<i>p</i> < 0.05).
Emapalumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody directed against interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which in November 2018 received the first global approval for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with refractory, recurrent, or progressive disease or intolerance to HLH therapy.