Potential use of IL-2/anti-IL-2 antibody immune complexes for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Initially discovered as a potent T cell proliferation factor, IL-2 was soon used for cancer immunotherapy, especially for metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma; however, the severe side effects of IL-2 therapy, plus the negative role of IL-2 in maintaining of CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), has somewhat dampened enthusiasm for using IL-2 in immunotherapy. This opinion article discusses the possibility of combining IL-2 with certain anti-IL-2 antibodies for reducing the dose of IL-2 needed and preferentially stimulating effector T cells, but not Tregs, an approach that might provide an improved strategy for anticancer immunotherapy. Alternatively, complexes of IL-2 with other anti-IL-2 antibodies can selectively stimulate Tregs and could, therefore, be useful for treating autoimmune diseases.
Boyman
Onur
O
University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Division of Immunology and Allergy, BT06 609, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. onur.boyman@chuv.ch
Surh
Charles D
CD
Sprent
Jonathan
J
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007376:Interleukin-2