Interleukin-21: updated review of Phase I and II clinical trials in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, metastatic melanoma and relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin's …

MH Hashmi, PJ Van Veldhuizen - Expert opinion on biological …, 2010 - Taylor & Francis
MH Hashmi, PJ Van Veldhuizen
Expert opinion on biological therapy, 2010Taylor & Francis
Importance to the field: In advanced renal cell cancer and malignant melanoma, the current
FDA approved immune modulators, such as IL-2, are the only agents which provide a
durable complete remission. These responses, however, occur in< 10% of treated patients
and their applicability is limited to selected patients because of their toxicity. The
identification of new immunotherapeutic agents with an improved response rate and toxicity
profile would represent a significant advancement in the treatment of these malignancies …
Importance to the field: In advanced renal cell cancer and malignant melanoma, the current FDA approved immune modulators, such as IL-2, are the only agents which provide a durable complete remission. These responses, however, occur in < 10% of treated patients and their applicability is limited to selected patients because of their toxicity. The identification of new immunotherapeutic agents with an improved response rate and toxicity profile would represent a significant advancement in the treatment of these malignancies.
Areas covered in this review: This is a comprehensive review of IL-21 including its pharmacology and current developmental status. A literature review was performed using all PubMed listed publications involving IL-21, including original research articles, reviews and abstracts. It also includes a review of current ongoing trials and information from the official product website.
What the reader will gain: Recombinant IL-21 (rIL-21) is a new immune modulator currently undergoing Phase I and II testing. It is a cytokine with a four helix structure that has structural and sequence homology to IL-2 and -15, but also possesses many unique biological properties. In this review, we evaluate the development, pharmacologic properties, safety profile and current clinical efficacy of rIL-21.
Take home message: rIL-21 has an acceptable safety profile and encouraging single agent activity in early phase renal cell carcinoma and melanoma clinical trials.
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