IL18 and cancer: Expression of exogenous cytotoxic proteins may trigger the host immune response raising safety concerns while engineered bacteria to induce specific cytokines can be an alternative anticancer strategy.102 Selective expression of cytokines can induce proper immune cells to clear tumors via multiple mechanisms with fewer side effects.122 Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-18 are the most crucial components of cancer-related inflammation and participate in the immune regulation network.