Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins:: applications in cancer therapy

Background: Anti body-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 anti body-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 anti body-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.