Over the last decade, cytokine research has emerged as one of the most critical fields for providing fundamental knowledge of normal and abnormal human development. It is now apparent that cytokines orchestrate growth from the early embryonic stage to maturity and are responsible for the normal function of virtually every organ system. Furthermore, virtually all disease states have been associated, at least in part, with cytokine aberrations. In this volume, the editors have brought together internationally known experts in the field of interleukin research to provide a comprehensive review of the biology of the interleukins and their role in both health and illness, while maintaining a balance between the basic science and clinical aspects. The book is intended for a wide variety of researchers, including clinical haematologists, oncologists and immunologists, in addition to medical and PhD students and researchers with an interest in cytokines.