Use of il-12 to increase survival

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for increasing survival in a subject, and/or preserving bone marrow function, and/or promoting hematopoietic recovery or restoration. The methods include administering a dose of IL-12 to the subject following an acute exposure to non-therapeutic whole body ionizing radiation. Formulations and kits are also provided.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A kit for increasing survival in a subject, and/or preserving bone marrow function, and/or promoting hematopoietic recovery or restoration following non-therapeutic acute exposure to whole body ionizing radiation,
 the kit comprising one or more formulations of a therapeutically effective dose of Interleukin-12 (IL-12).   
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the kit is for increasing survival in a human subject, wherein the therapeutically effective dose of IL-12 is between from about 25.66 μg to about 1.71 μg. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the kit is for increasing survival in a human subject, wherein the therapeutically effective dose of IL-12 is less than about 17.11 μg. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the kit is for increasing survival in a human subject, wherein the therapeutically effective dose of IL-12 is less than about 13.68 μg. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is formulated for intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerebrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, or intrathecal administration. 
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is formulated for injection in solution or as a lyophilized powder. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is recombinant IL-12. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 34 , wherein the IL-12 is recombinant human IL-12 (rhIL-12). 
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 38 , wherein the rhIL-12 is HemaMax™. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is modified so as to reduce the immunogenicity of the protein. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 37 , wherein the IL-12 protein is modified with one or more water-soluble polymers. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is formulated in a tube, vial or syringe. 
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is administered with a carrier molecule or bulking agent. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the carrier molecule is an albumin. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the carrier molecule is present at a concentration of at least about two times the concentration of IL-12. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 28 , comprising multiple unit doses of IL-12. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 28 , further comprising a compound useful for supportive care of IL-12 treatment following radiation exposure selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, hematopoietic growth factors, G-CSF, IL-3, erythropoietin, erythropoietin-like molecules, IL-1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-11, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the IL-12 is housed in a radiation proof or radiation resistant container.