Methods of treating cancer using il-21

Abstract

Methods for treating mammals with cancer using molecules that have an IL-21 functional activity are described. The molecules having IL-21 functional activities include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-21 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-21 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known cancer therapeutics.

1 . A method of treating Non-Hodgkins lymphoma comprising administering to a subject having Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide has been shown to not cause proliferation of isolated cancer cells prior to administration to the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein there is a tumor response. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a tumor response is measured as complete response or partial response. 
     
     
         5 . A method of treating Non-Hodgkins lymphoma comprising administering to a subject having Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a first IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 to 162 of SEQ ID NO:2 and a second polypeptide. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the polypeptide has been shown not to cause proliferation of isolated cancer cells prior to administration to the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein there is a tumor response. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a tumor response is measured as complete response or partial response. 
     
     
         9 . A method of tumor vaccination comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 to 162 of SEQ ID NO:2 in combination with a tumor antigen protein or tumor antigen peptide, wherein said antigen is a tumor associated antigen (TAA) from Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.