Interleukin-12: Biological Properties and Clinical Application

Interleukin-12: Biological Properties and Clinical Application

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric protein, first recovered from EBV-transformed B cell lines. It is a multifunctional cytokine, the properties of which bridge innate and adaptive immunity, acting as a key regulator of cell-mediated immune responses through the induction of T helper 1 differe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical cancer research 2007-08, Vol.13 (16), p.4677-4685
Main Authors: DEL VECCHIO, Michele, BAJETTA, Emilio, CANOVA, Stefania, LOTZE, Michael T, WESA, Amy, PARMIANI, Giorgio, ANICHINI, Andrea
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology
angiogenesis
Angiogenesis Inhibitors - pharmacology
Angiogenesis Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use
Antineoplastic agents
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
dendritic cells
Genetic Therapy
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Interleukin-12
Interleukin-12 - genetics
Interleukin-12 - pharmacology
Interleukin-12 - physiology
Interleukin-12 - therapeutic use
Medical sciences
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
T lymphocytes
tumor immunity
Vaccination
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Summary:Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric protein, first recovered from EBV-transformed B cell lines. It is a multifunctional cytokine, the properties of which bridge innate and adaptive immunity, acting as a key regulator of cell-mediated immune responses through the induction of T helper 1 differentiation. By promoting IFN-γ production, proliferation, and cytolytic activity of natural killer and T cells, IL-12 induces cellular immunity. In addition, IL-12 induces an antiangiogenic program mediated by IFN-γ–inducible genes and by lymphocyte-endothelial cell cross-talk. The immunomodulating and antiangiogenic functions of IL-12 have provided the rationale for exploiting this cytokine as an anticancer agent. In contrast with the significant antitumor and antimetastatic activity of IL-12, documented in several preclinical studies, clinical trials with IL-12, used as a single agent, or as a vaccine adjuvant, have shown limited efficacy in most instances. More effective application of this cytokine, and of newly identified IL-12 family members (IL-23 and IL-27), should be evaluated as therapeutic agents with considerable potential in cancer patients.
ISSN:1078-0432
1557-3265