Methods of healing wounds by administering human IL-18
The present invention relates generally to the use of human IL-18, also known as interferon-γ-inducing factor (IGIF), in the treatment of skin wounds, surgical wounds, leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers, gastrointestinal mucositis, oral mucositis, and lung injury.
1. A method of treating a wound in a patient, wherein the wound is chosen from the group consisting of: mucositis, diabetic ulcers, and skin wounds, said method comprising the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of human IL-18 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:1) in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the human IL-18 is administered via parenteral administration.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the parenteral administration is chosen from the group consisting of: subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, and intranasal administration.
4. The method as claimed in 1 wherein the mucositis is oral mucositis.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mucositis is intestinal mucositis.