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 expanding anticancer effector cells isolated from a subject having cancer for cell adoptive therapy comprising treating isolated anticancer effector cells comprising one or more of natural killer (NK) cells, lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, and tumor-specific T-cells with an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2 to expand the effector cells, wherein the anticancer effector cells are re-introduced back into the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-21, IL-2, Interferon-α, IL-15 and IL-12 is administered to the subject after introduction of the anticancer effector cells. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated anticancer effector cells are further isolated NK or tumor-specific T cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the cytokine has been shown to not cause proliferation of isolated cancer cells prior to administration to the subject.