Targeted cytokines for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract

Targeting of cytokines into the tumor microenvironment using antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, called immunocytokines, represents a novel approach in cancer immunotherapy. This article summarizes therapeutic efficacy and immune mechanisms involved in targeting interleukin-2 (IL-2) to neuroectodermal tumors using ganglioside GD2-specific antibody-IL-2 fusion protein (ch14.18-IL-2). Treatment of established melanoma metastases with ch14.18-IL-2 resulted in eradication of disease followed by a vaccination effect protecting mice from lethal challenges with wild-type tumor calls. In a syngeneic neuroblastoma model, targeted IL-2 was effective in the amplification of a weak memory immune response previously induced by IL-12 gene therapy using an engineered linear version of this heterodimeric cytokine. These findings show that targeted IL-2 may provide an effective tool in cancer immunotherapy and establish the missing link between T cell-mediated vaccination and objective clinical responses.

• Authors: H N Lode, R A Reisfeld
• Journal: Immunologic research (Immunol Res) Vol. 21 Issue 2-3 Pg. 279-88 ( 2000) ISSN: 0257-277X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10852128 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-2

Topics

• Animals
• Genetic Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Interleukin-2 (genetics, immunology)
• Mice
• Neoplasms (genetics, immunology, therapy)
• Neoplasms, Experimental (genetics, immunology, therapy)