Studies evaluating the antitumor activity and toxicity of interleukin-15, a new T cell growth factor: comparison with interleukin-2.
Interleukin-15 is a new cytokine that stimulates the proliferation of T cells and other cells of the immune system. Some of the biological properties of interleukin-15 overlap that of interleukin-2. Using murine models, the present studies have shown that interleukin-15, in vivo, is three to four times more potent than interleukin-2 in generating cytolytic effector splenocytes that lyse YAC target cells. It is approximately one-third as potent as interleukin-2 in inducing specific cytolytic cells that lyse allogeneic target cells. Interleukin-15 is approximately half as potent as interleukin-2 in suppressing pulmonary metastasis induced by MCA-205 tumor cells. The dose of interleukin-15 required to induce pulmonary vascular leak in mice is six times higher than that required for interleukin-2. These results support the view that interleukin-15 exhibits a therapeutic index that is superior to interleukin-2.
Munger
W
W
Immunex Research and Development Corporation, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA.
DeJoy
S Q
SQ
Jeyaseelan
R
R
Torley
L W
LW
Grabstein
K H
KH
Eisenmann
J
J
Paxton
R
R
Cox
T
T
Wick
M M
MM
Kerwar
S S
SS
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007378:Interleukins