Methods of targeting multiple cytokines
View Patent ↗The invention relates to protein complexes and fusion proteins including at least two different cytokine molecules. The protein complexes and fusion proteins may further include a targeting moiety such as a region of an immunoglobulin. Methods of using the protein complexes and fusion proteins are also disclosed.
1. A method of targeting a first cytokine (C1) and a second, different cytokine (C2) in a mammal, the method comprising:
administering to the mammal a multifunctional fusion protein comprising a C1, a C2, and an immunoglobulin region (Ig) capable of targeting said fusion protein in the mammal,
wherein C1 comprises IL-12 and C2 comprises a chemokine or a four-helix bundle cytokine.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Ig comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region domain immunologically reactive with an antigen in the mammal.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said antigen is a cancer-specific antigen or a viral antigen.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Ig comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region capable of binding an immunoglobulin Fc receptor.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said C2 is selected from the group consisting of IL-2 and GM-CSF.