Methods of using il-18 fusion proteins.

Abstract

This document describes a method for using fusion proteins composed of elements such as one or more proteins / polypeptides capable of translocating to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) or a fragment or variant of IL-18. Proteins / polypeptides capable of translocating to the ER include, but are not limited to, an immunoglobular protein, such as the Fc region, VHH antibody, and scFv, and a globular protein, such as serum albumin. IL-18 can be a precursor IL-18 that resembles the natural procytokine, in which IL-18 is fused to the C-terminal end of its propeptide, or a variant of the propeptide.These fusion proteins can be used in cancer or fibrosis treatment methods by activating an IL-18 receptor complex (RC) signal in a cell, releasing or exposing mature IL-18 in a tumor microenvironment or adjacent to a tumor, and / or increasing the proliferation of memory CD8 T cells.