Abstract: Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7)/interleukin 24(IL24) is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, mainly expressed in human spleen, thymus, peripheral blood leukocytes and normal melanocytes. Recently, several studies have shown that IL24 is a unique inhibitor of tumor cells, significantly inhibiting tumor cell growth and proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, and inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Moreover, increasing evidence implies thatIL24 mayalso enhance chemotherapy sensitivity and kill a variety of tumor cells without harming the normal cells. However, the molecular mechanism behind these effects is still not fully understood yet.

Key words: Melanoma, interleukin-24, antitumor mechanism, signal transduction