Translating discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic is a key goal for many researchers. This month we bring you two articles that discuss recent progress in this area, focusing on the use of recombinant human interleukin-7 (rhIL-7) in the clinic and the therapeutic targeting of chemokines.

On page 330, Crystal Mackall and colleagues review the preclinical and clinical data available on the potential immunorestorative effects of rhIL-7 for patients with cancer, chronic viral infections or acquired immunodeficiency. These early results suggest that rhIL-7 is safe and may have therapeutic benefit, although more studies are needed to determine whether these benefits translate into improved patient survival.

Targeting chemokine receptors is an attractive therapeutic approach for treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In their Opinion article (page 355), Thomas Schall and Amanda Proudfoot propose that functional 'redundancy' in the chemokine system is not the main barrier to the development of such chemokine receptor antagonists, but that appropriate target selection and effective dosing are crucial for therapeutic efficacy.

Finally, it was with great sadness that we learnt of the sudden passing of Jürg Tschopp on the 22 March 2011. Jürg exemplified how we can translate innovative discoveries into potential clinical treatments through his successful use of the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret; Biovitrum) in ten patients with acute gout. This pilot study emerged from his pioneering work examining how uric acid crystals induce IL-1β production through the activation of the inflammasome. These and other innovative (and sometimes controversial) contributions to the fields of cell death and inflammation will ensure that Jürg will be long remembered. To his family, friends and colleagues, we offer our sincerest sympathies.