Method using IL-18 fusion protein

Abstract

This specification describes methods using fusion proteins comprising one or more elements such as proteins / polypeptides capable of translocating to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) or fragments or variants of IL-18. Examples of ER-translocating proteins / polypeptides include, but are not limited to, Fc regions, VHH antibodies, immunoglobulin-like proteins such as scFv, and globular proteins such as serum albumin. IL-18 may also be a precursor IL-18 similar to a native procytokine in which IL-18 is fused to the C-terminus of its propeptide or propeptide variant. These fusion proteins activate IL-18 receptor complex (RC) signaling on cells, release or expose mature IL-18 in or adjacent to the tumor microenvironment, and / or memory CD8 - It may be used in methods of treating cancer or fibrosis by increasing T cell proliferation.

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