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A naturally occurring protein produced and secreted by cells in the body to help stimulate the immune system to fight infection and disease. Interleukin works by stimulating a type of white blood cell, called a T-lymphocyte, to attack the cancer. T-lymphocytes are part of the immune system and interleukin is a type of immunotherapy. The form of interleukin used to treat cancer is interleukin 2 (IL 2).

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