Role of cytokines in nasal polyposis.

Chronic hyperplastic sinusitis and nasal polyposis (CHS/NP) is associated with significant morbidity. The response to medical treatment is often unsatisfactory, and surgery often provides only temporary relief. The genesis and pathophysiology of polyps are poorly understood. There has been increasing interest in the role of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. Recent data from several investigators offer insights into the cellular content of polyps and their capacity to produce cytokines and orchestrate the inflammatory process.