Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) is a member of the IL-17 family of cytokines, which play crucial roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. IL-17F can induce the production of cytokines that promote inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling, leading to tissue damage in various tissues such as the peripheral and axial enthesis, bone, and cartilage.
IL-17F is implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Elevated serum levels of IL-17F have been observed in conditions such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In psoriasis, the lesional skin and serum contain higher amounts of IL-17F compared to IL-17A. Targeting IL-17F may be beneficial in treating colitis, as demonstrated in murine models. In cancer, IL-17F might be associated with favorable overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine. Therapeutic strategies targeting IL-17F, either alone or in combination with other cytokines, are being explored for their potential in treating inflammatory, autoimmune, and certain malignant diseases.