Methods for treating viral infection using IL-28 and IL-29 cysteine mutants

Abstract

IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and certain mutants thereof have been shown to have antiviral activity on a spectrum of viral species. Of particular interest is the antiviral activity demonstrated on viruses that infect liver, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. In addition, IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and mutants thereof do not exhibit some of the antiproliferative activity on hematopoietic cells that is observed with interferon treatment. Without the immunosuppressive effects accompanying interferon treatment, IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 will be useful in treating immunocompromised patients for viral infections.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 60 / 559,081, filed Apr. 2, 2004, 60 / 609,238, filed Sep. 13, 2004, and 60 / 634,144, filed Dec. 8, 2004, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Strategies for treating infectious disease often focus on ways to enhance immunity. For instance, the most common method for treating viral infection involves prophylactic vaccines that induce immune-based memory responses. Another method for treating viral infection includes passive immunization via immunoglobulin therapy (Meissner, J. Pediatr. 124:S17-21, 1994). Administration of Interferon alpha (IFN-α) is another method for treating viral infections such as genital warts (Reichman et al., Ann. Intern. Med. 108:675-9, 1988) and chronic viral infections like hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Davis et al., New Engl. J. Med. 339:1493-9, 1998) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). ...

Images