A recombinant Mycobacterium strain co-expressing MIF and IL-7, and a composition containing the strain as an active ingredient are disclosed. The strain and the composition are suitable for preventing or treating cancer. The strain induces a maximized anticancer immune response by stably expressing MIF and IL-7 through a mycobacteria-derived replicable plasmid, such as a pMyong2 shuttle vector. Accordingly, the strain and the composition may be usefully used as an efficient anticancer live vaccine composition that induces multiple cellular and humoral immune responses through single administration of the recombinant strain.

Methods and compositions for using the MEW class II invariant chain polypeptide, Ii (also known as CD74), as a receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), are disclosed. These include methods and compositions for using this receptor, as well as agonists and antagonists of MIF which bind to this receptor, or which otherwise modulate the interaction of MIF with CD74 or the consequences of such interaction, in treatment of conditions characterized by locally or systemically altered MIF levels, particularly inflammatory conditions and cancer.