Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine that has been known since long in immunology, mainly regarding its effects on T-cells and B-cells. IL-7 has been demonstrated to be necessary for both B-cell and T-cell proliferation and lack of IL-7 causes immature immune cell arrest. Interestingly, in recent years, certain studies have strongly suggested that the role of IL-7 is far beyond the field of immunology, it might have direct or indirect effect on cancer. This review aims to summarize the role of IL-7 in immunity and its role in the pathogenesis of neoplasia.

This study determined if a SystemCHANGE™ intervention was more efficacious than attention control in increasing immunosuppressive medication adherence and improving outcomes in adult kidney transplant recipients during a 6‐month intervention phase and subsequent 6‐month (no intervention) maintenance phase. The SystemCHANGE™ intervention taught patients to use person‐level quality improvement strategies to link adherence to established daily routines, environmental cues, and supportive people. Eighty‐nine patients (average age 51.8 years, 58% male, 61% African American) completed the 6‐month intervention phase. Using an intent‐to‐treat analysis, at 6 months, medication adherence for SystemCHANGE™ (median 0.91, IQR 0.76‐0.96) and attention control (median 0.67, IQR 0.52‐0.72) patients differed markedly (difference in medians 0.24, 95% CI 0.13‐0.30, P < .001). At the conclusion of the subsequent 6‐month maintenance phase, the gap between medication adherence for SystemCHANGE™ (median 0.77, IQR 0.56‐0.94) and attention control (median 0.60, IQR 0.44‐0.73) patients remained large (difference in medians 0.17, 95% CI 0.06‐0.33, P = .004). SystemCHANGE™ patients evidenced lower mean creatinine and BUN at 12 months and more infections at 6 and 12 months. This first fully powered RCT testing SystemCHANGE™ to improve and maintain medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients demonstrated large, clinically meaningful improvements in medication adherence. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02416479.