title: Immunotherapeutic applications of IL-15.
abstract: IL-15 is a member of the IL-2 family of cytokines, which play a fundamental role in innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-15 has pleiotropic immune-enhancing activities, as it stimulates NK, T and NKT cell proliferation, survival and effector functions. In view of these properties, IL-15 is regarded as a good candidate for cancer immunotherapy. This possibility is reinforced by its low toxicity and efficacy in preclinical tumor models. The use of IL-15 to boost the immune response in HIV infection has also been proposed, although further studies are required to establish potential risks and benefits. Clinical trials of IL-15 have been initiated in cancer patients and in HIV vaccination and will elucidate the potential of IL-15-based immunotherapy. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the potential applications of IL-15 in cancer immunotherapy and HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS-AOU San-Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Croce
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Orengo
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azzarone
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D019409:Interleukin-15