IL-2 mutein/Fc fusion protein HM16390

A recombinant fusion protein and long-acting analog of the human cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2; IL2) consisting of a variant form of IL-2, IL-2 mutein, fused to a human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) Fc molecule via a flexible non-peptidyl linker, with potential immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon subcutaneous administration of IL-2 mutein/Fc fusion protein HM16390, the IL-2 mutein moiety preferentially binds to the IL-2 receptor beta subunit (IL-2Rbeta; CD122), and binds to the IL-2 receptor subunit alpha (IL-2Ralpha; CD25) with a lower affinity. The binding of the IL-2 mutein moiety to IL-2Rbeta activates IL-2Rbeta-mediated signaling. This activates cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells, and induces expression of certain cytotoxic cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFNg) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFb), which leads to T-cell-mediated cytotoxic immune responses against tumor cells and inhibits tumor cell proliferation. The lower binding affinity of HM16390 to IL-2Ralpha reduces IL-2Ralpha-mediated adverse effects of IL-2. Fusion to the Fc increases the stability and half-life of HM16390.