Description of Invention:
The present invention discloses the use of IL-21 for cancer therapy and/or cancer prevention. When compared to similar cytokines, IL-21 has shown substantial anticancer activity and reduced toxicity in murine models.
IL-21 belongs to the class I family of cytokines and is closely related to IL-2 and IL-15. Some cancer patients have shown significant response to administration of IL-2. However, IL-2 has also been associated with severe toxicity leading to a variety of undesirable side effects. This invention attempts to resolve the toxicity concerns and presents a new therapy for cancer prevention and treatment.
Inventors:
Patrick Hwu and Gang Wang (NCI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-137-2002/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/368,438 filed 27 Mar 2002
PCT Application No. PCT/US03/09707 filed 27 Mar 2003, which published as WO 03/082212 on 09 Oct 2003
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/508,978 filed 19 Nov 2004
Portfolios: Cancer
Cancer -Therapeutics-Biological Response Modifiers-Cytokines Cancer -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Jennifer Wong
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4633
Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
