This book discusses the immunotherapeutic potential of Interleukin 12 in
the context of clinical oncology, as well as antitumor effects confirmed
in preclinical studies and clinical trials in cancer immunotherapy. Due
to its ability to activate both innate (NK cells) and adaptive
(cytotoxic T lymphocytes) immunities, Interleukin 12 (IL-12) has been
regarded as a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy. However,
despite the encouraging results in animal models, only very modest
antitumor effects have been confirmed in early clinical trials.
Recently, several clinical studies have been initiated in which IL-12
was applied as an adjuvant in cancer vaccines, in gene therapy including
locoregional injections of IL-12 plasmid, and in the form of
tumor-targeting immunocytokines (IL-12 fused to monoclonal antibodies).