Lymphokine receptor-directed therapy: a model for immune intervention in leukemia, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency.
Activation of resting T cells induces the synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and expression of its high-affinity receptor that involves both a 55-kDa IL-2 binding peptide identified by the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody and a 75-kDa IL-2 binding peptide associated in a receptor complex. The IL-2 receptor is proving to be an extraordinarily important therapeutic target since it is expressed by the abnormal T cells in patients with certain lymphoid malignancies or autoimmune disorders and in individuals rejecting allografts whereas it is not expressed by normal resting cells. IL-2 receptor directed monoclonal antibodies, genetically engineered humanized antibodies, and antibodies armed with toxins or radionuclides represent novel therapeutic agents for these clinical conditions.
Metabolism Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
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Waldmann
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2