Antibody–cytokine fusion proteins: applications in cancer therapy

Abstract

Background: Antibody–cytokine fusion proteins consist of cytokines fused to an antibody to improve antibody-targeted cancer immunotherapy. These molecules have the capacity to enhance the tumoricidal activity of the antibodies and/or activate a secondary antitumor immune response. Objective: To review the strategies used to develop antibody–cytokine fusion proteins and their in vitro and in vivo properties, including preclinical and clinical studies focusing on IL-2, IL-12 and GM-CSF. Methods: Articles were found by searching databases such as PubMed and Clinical Trials of the US National Institutes of Health. Results/conclusion: Multiple antibody–cytokine fusion proteins have demonstrated significant antitumor activity as direct therapeutics or as adjuvants of cancer vaccines in preclinical studies, paving the way for their clinical evaluation.

Keywords::

• antibody
• antibody–cytokine fusion protein
• cancer
• cytokine
• GM-CSF
• IL-2
• IL-12
• immunotherapy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank O Martinez-Maza (UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics) for his critical evaluation of this manuscript.