Pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing cancer by inducing dendritic cell-like differentiation from monocytes to improve anticancer immune activity

Abstract

According to the present invention, a composition for inducing or activating dendritic cell-like cells so as to treat or prevent cancer by immunotherapy is provided. Specifically, the following is provided: an agent for activating cancer immunity, which comprises, as an active ingredient, the following REIC protein: (a) a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 by substitution, deletion, or addition of one or more amino acid(s) and having the activity of inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells in vivo, which comprises contacting the monocytes with an agent for inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells comprising a REIC protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         25 . The method for inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells according to  claim 24 , wherein the monocytes are peripheral blood monocytes. 
     
     
         26 . The method for inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells according to  claim 24 , wherein the monocytes are CD14 positive monocytes. 
     
     
         27 . The method for treating or preventing cancer by activating cancer immunity, which comprises administering to a patient a REIC protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 for inducing differentiation from monocytes into dendritic cell-like cells.