IL-21是IL-2家族中的新成员,主要是由活化的CD4+T细胞分泌的,具有广泛的生物学功能,主要表现为免疫调节功能,其中最显著的特征是能增强效应T细胞及活化的NK细胞的功能,包括增强胞毒活性及促使分泌IFNγ,从而有效增强机体的天然免疫以及特异性免疫,促使荷瘤动物产生较强的抗肿瘤免疫效应。文章就IL-21及其受体的产生、生物学作用、信号传导机制及在荷瘤动物的抗肿瘤治疗的研究进展等方面作一综述。 IL-21, a new member of the IL-2 family, is mainly secreted by activated CD4 + T cells and has a wide range of biological functions, mainly as an immunomodulatory function. The most prominent of these is the ability to enhance effector T cells And activate the function of NK cells, including enhancing cytotoxic activity and secretion of IFNγ, which can effectively enhance the body’s natural immunity and specific immunity, prompting the tumor-bearing animals have a strong anti-tumor immune effect. The article reviews the production of IL-21 and its receptors, biological effects, signal transduction mechanism and the progress of antitumor therapy in tumor-bearing animals.