Interleukin Combination and Use Thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are an interleukin combination or fusion proteins for preventing and/or treating malignant tumors, and various products prepared with same and the use thereof.

Claims

1.-26. (canceled)

27. A pharmaceutical combination for preventing and/or treating a malignant tumor, comprising: i) at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding one of c-cytokine or an active portion or a variant thereof; and ii) at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof; wherein the at least one of c-cytokine is selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15.

28. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is selected from the group consisting of: i) IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; and i) IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof.

29. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof in i), and/or at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof in ii) respectively, further comprise one or more modifications selected from the group consisting of fusion with a human immunoglobulin Fc fragment or a variant thereof; fusion with human serum albumin or a variant thereof; fusion with a tumor-penetrating peptide; fusion with a tumor-targeting single-chain or single-domain antibody; PEGylation; Xtenylation; PASylation; HESylation; or any other suitable chemical modifications.

30. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a recombinant protein comprising: an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4 and 5 or an active portion thereof; or an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4 and 5 or an active portion thereof; and an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 or 8 or an active portion thereof, or an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 or 8 or an active portion thereof.

31. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 30, wherein the recombinant protein further comprises one or more peptide linkers that are cleavable in vivo or intratumorally; preferably, the peptide linkers are selected from the group consisting of one or more of the linker as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 21-29 and 32 or in vivo cleavable disulfide bond linker.

32. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising: a first nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13 or a variant thereof; and a second nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or 16, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or 16 or a variant thereof.

33. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a vector comprising: a first nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13; and a second nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or 16, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or

16.

34. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 33, wherein the vector is selected from the group consisting of a plasmid or a viral vector, including but not limited to: an adenoviral vector, an adeno-associated viral vector, a retroviral vector, a lentiviral vector, a sleeping beauty or a Piggy Bac transposon system, CRISPRiCas9 knock-in system or any other suitable carriers.

35. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 33, wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence are present in separate vectors; or wherein the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence are present in the same vector.

36. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a cell or a population of cells comprising: i) a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of c-cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15, or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of IL-25 or IL-33, or an active part or variant thereof.

37. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 36, wherein the cell is selected from the group consisting of an autologous cell or an allogeneic cell, including but not limited to: dendritic cells, T cells, macrophages, eosinophils, or any other suitable cells.

38. A method for preventing and/or treating a malignant tumor comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a prophylactically and/or therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical combination comprising: i) at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding one of c-cytokine or an active portion or a variant thereof; and ii) at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof; wherein at least one of c-cytokine is selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is selected from the group consisting of: i) IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 and/or IL-9 or an active part or variant thereof; and IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-7 and IL-15 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; i) IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-2 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof; and i) IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-2 and IL-7 or an active part or variant thereof; and ii) IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a vector or a cell or a population of cells capable of producing IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule capable of encoding IL-25 or an active part or variant thereof.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the malignant tumor is selected from the group consisting of fibrosarcoma, mucinous sarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endothelial sarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangial endothelial sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweat gland cancer, sebaceous gland cancer, papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, cancer, bronchial carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonic carcinoma, nephroblastoma, cervical cancer, testicular tumor, lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, epithelial cancer, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pineal tumor, hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, meningioma, oligodendroglioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma or retinoblastoma.

41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a recombinant protein comprising: an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4 and 5 or an active portion thereof, or an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3, 4 and 5 or an active portion thereof; and an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 or 8 or an active portion thereof, or an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 or 8 or an active portion thereof

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the recombinant protein is administered in a dose of 0.0001 to 10 mg/kg body weight per time at the interval of 0 to 30 days.

43. The method according to claim 38, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a vector comprising: a first nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 12 and 13; and/or a second nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or 16, or a nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 or 16.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the vector such as a virus is intratumorally administered in a dose of 10.sup.8-10.sup.13 pfu virus/tumor/time at the interval of 0 to 30 days.

45. The method according to claim 38, wherein the pharmaceutical combination is a cell or a population of cells.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the cell or the population of cells is administered in a dose of 10.sup.5-10.sup.11 cells/kg body weight/time at the interval of 0 to100 days.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of drug screening for B16F10 melanoma cytokine combination therapy. A is a retroviral vector constructed with mouse cytokines; B shows that HEK293T cells co-transfected with retroviral vector and packaging helper plasmid pCL-Ampho produce retroviral particles capable of expressing cytokines; C shows generation and enrichment of cell pools for cytokine production. B16F10 cells transduced with corresponding retroviruses were enriched by screening with puromycin; D relates to verifying the effects of cytokines and combinations thereof on tumor growth. The primary B16F10 cells were injected into the left side of mice as response tumors, and a cell pool for producing single cytokine or two cell pools for producing different cytokines were injected into the right side as cytokine tumors.

[0052] FIG. 2 exemplarily shows the results of the inhibitory effects of some cytokines on tumor growth (n=4 per group). Primary B16F10 cells or B16F10 transduced with empty retroviral vector are used in the control group. The tumor was removed and weighed 16 days after inoculating cells.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows that tumor growth dynamics, suggesting a synergistic anti-tumor effect of the combination of IL-7 and IL-25 in C57BL/6 mice. 510.sup.5 B16F10 primary cells were injected intradermally (i.d.) into the left side of C57BL/6 mice (as response tumors), whereas a cell pool for producing IL-7 or IL-25 or a mixed cell pool for producing the two cytokines (1 million each) was injected intradermally into the right side (as a drug tumor). The area of the response tumor (A) and the area of the cytokine-producing tumor (B) (n=10 per group) were measured 4 days after tumor cell injection.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows the Coomassie brilliant blue staining map of the recombinant protein with 6 His tag expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) (10 g protein per lane), where A is IL-7, B is IL-25, and C is the therapeutic response dynamics of tumors to hu-IL-7, hu-IL-25 or the combination of huIL-7+huIL-25. 510.sup.5 B16F10 primary cells were injected intradermally on both sides of C57BL/6 mice (10 in each group). After 24 hours, the mice were injected intraperitoneally twice daily with IL-7, IL-25, IL-7+ IL-25 dissolved in PBS (5 g each/time). The tumor area was measured daily 5 days after tumor cell injection.

DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENCES

[0055] Unless otherwise indicated, the amino acid sequences of the signal peptides or corresponding nucleotide sequences thereof are shown in bold in the following sequences.

TABLE-US-00001 SEQIDNO:1showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-2. MYRMQLLSCIALSLALVTNSAPTSSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNG INNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLEEELKPLEEVLNLAQ SKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNRW ITFCQSIISTLT SEQIDNO:2showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-4. MGLTSQLLPPLFFLLACAGNFVHGHKCDITLQEIIKTLNSLTEQKTL CTELTVTDIFAASKNTTEKETFCRAATVLRQFYSHHEKDTRCLGATA QQFHRHKQLIRFLKRLDRNLWGLAGLNSCPVKEANQSTLENFLERLK TIMREKYSKCSS SEQIDNO:3showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-7,inwhichtheunderlinedaminoacid residuesinitalics(positions96-114)canbe deletedfromhu-IL-7sequenceandtheresultant sequenceisasplicevariant. MFHVSFRYIFGLPPLILVLLPVASSDCDIEGKDGKQYESV LMVSIDQLLDSMKEIGSNCLNNEFNFFKRHICDANKEGMF LFRAARKLRQFLKMNSTGDFDLHLLKVSEGTTILLNCTGQ VKGRKPAALGEAQPTKSLEENKSLKEQKKLNDLCFLKRLL QEIKTCWNKILMGTKEH SEQIDNO:4showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-9. MLLAMVLTSALLLCSVAGQGCPTLAGILDINFLINKMQEDPASKCHC SANVTSCLCLGIPSDNCTRPCFSERLSQMTNTTMQTRYPLIFSRVKK SVEVLKNNKCPYFSCEQPCNQTTAGNALTFLKSLLEIFQKEKMRGMR GKI SEQIDNO:5showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-15. MRISKPHLRSISIQCYLCLLLNSHFLTEAGIHVFILGCFSAGLPKTE ANWVNVISDLKKIEDLIQSMHIDATLYTESDVHPSCKVTAMKCFLLE LQVISLESGDASIHDTVENLIILANNSLSSNGNVTESGCKECEELEE KNIKEFLQSFVHIVQMFINTS SEQIDNO:6showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-21. MRSSPGNMERIVICLMVIFLGTLVHKSSSQGQDRHMIRMRQLIDIVD QLKNYVNDLVPEFLPAPEDVETNCEWSAFSCFQKAQLKSANTGNNER IINVSIKKLKRKPPSTNAGRRQKHRLTCPSCDSYEKKPPKEFLERFK SLLQKMIHQHLSSRTHGSEDS SEQIDNO:7showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-25,inwhichthesignalpeptide sequenceinbolditalicsinasplicevariant hu-IL-25isdifferentandcanbereplacedwith theaminoacidY,butthematureIL-25sequence isidentical. M QVVAFLAMVMGTHTYSHWPSCCPSKGQD TSEELLRWSTVPVPPLEPARPNRHPESCRASEDGPLNSRAISPWRYE LDRDLNRLPQDLYHARCLCPHCVSLQTGSHMDPRGNSELLYHNQTVE YRRPCHGEKGTHKGYCLERRLYRVSLACVCVRPRVMG SEQIDNO:8showstheaminoacidsequenceof humanIL-33,inwhichshowninboldisthe aminoacidsequencecomprisedinthepropeptide. MKPKMKYSTNKISTAKWKNTASKALCFKLGKSQQKAKEVCPMYFMKL RSGLMIKKEACYFRRETTKRPSLKTGRKHKRHLVLAACQQQSTVECF AFGISGVQKYTRALHDSSITGISPITEYLASLSTYNDQSITFALEDE SYEIYVEDLKKDEKKDKVLLSYYESQHPSNESGDGVDGKMLMVTLSP TKDFWLHANNKEHSVELHKCEKPLPDQAFFVLHNMHSNCVSFECKTD PGVFIGVKDNHLALIKVDSSENLCTENILFKLSET SEQIDNO:9showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-2. atgtacaggatgcaactcctgtcttgcattgcactaagtcttgcact tgtcacaaacagtgcacctacttcaagttctacaaagaaaacacagc tacaactggagcatttactgctggatttacagatgattttgaatgga attaataattacaagaatcccaaactcaccaggatgctcacatttaa gttttacatgcccaagaaggccacagaactgaaacatcttcagtgtc tagaagaagaactcaaacctctggaggaagtgctaaatttagctcaa agcaaaaactttcacttaagacccagggacttaatcagcaatatcaa cgtaatagttctggaactaaagggatctgaaacaacattcatgtgtg aatatgctgatgagacagcaaccattgtagaatttctgaacagatgg attaccttttgtcaaagcatcatctcaacactgacttga SEQIDNO:10showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-4. atgggtctcacctcccaactgcttccccctctgttcttcctgctagc atgtgccggcaactttgtccacggacacaagtgcgatatcaccttac aggagatcatcaaaactttgaacagcctcacagagcagaagactctg tgcaccgagttgaccgtaacagacatctttgctgcctccaagaacac aactgagaaggaaaccttctgcagggctgcgactgtgctccggcagt tctacagccaccatgagaaggacactcgctgcctgggtgcgactgca cagcagttccacaggcacaagcagctgatccgattcctgaaacggct cgacaggaacctctggggcctggcgggcttgaattcctgtcctgtga aggaagccaaccagagtacgttggaaaacttcttggaaaggctaaag acgatcatgagagagaaatattcaaagtgttcgagctga SEQIDNO:11showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-7. Atgttccatgtttcttttaggtatatctttggacttcctcccctgat ccttgttctgttgccagtagcatcatctgattgtgatattgaaggta aagatggcaaacaatatgagagtgttctaatggtcagcatcgatcaa ttattggacagcatgaaagaaattggtagcaattgcctgaataatga atttaacttttttaaaagacatatctgtgatgctaataaggaaggta tgtttttattccgtgctgctcgcaagttgaggcaatttcttaaaatg aatagcactggtgattttgatctccacttattaaaagtttcagaagg cacaacaatactgttgaactgcactggccaggttaaaggaagaaaac cagctgccctgggtgaagcccaaccaacaaagagtttggaagaaaat aaatctttaaaggaacagaaaaaactgaatgacttgtgtttcctaaa gagactattacaagagataaaaacttgttggaataaaattttgatgg gcactaaagaacactga SEQIDNO:12showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-9. atgcttctggccatggtccttacctctgccctgctcctgtgctccgt ggcaggccaggggtgtccaaccttggcggggatcctggacatcaact tcctcatcaacaagatgcaggaagatccagcttccaagtgccactgc agtgctaatgtgaccagttgtctctgtttgggcattccctctgacaa ctgcaccagaccatgcttcagtgagagactgtctcagatgaccaata ccaccatgcaaacaagatacccactgattttcagtcgggtgaaaaaa tcagttgaagtactaaagaacaacaagtgtccatatttttcctgtga acagccatgcaaccaaaccacggcaggcaacgcgctgacatttctga agagtcttctggaaattttccagaaagaaaagatgagagggatgaga ggcaagatatga SEQIDNO:13showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-15. atgagaatttcgaaaccacatttgagaagtatttccatccagtgcta cttgtgtttacttctaaacagtcattttctaactgaagctggcattc atgtatcattttgggctgtttcagtgcagggcttcctaaaacagaag ccaactgggtgaatgtaataagtgatttgaaaaaaattgaagatctt attcaatctatgcatattgatgctactttatatacggaaagtgatgt tcaccccagttgcaaagtaacagcaatgaagtgattctatggagtta caagttatttcacttgagtccggagatgcaagtattcatgatacagt agaaaatctgatcatcctagcaaacaacagtttgtcttctaatggga atgtaacagaatctggatgcaaagaatgtgaggaactggaggaaaaa aatattaaagaatttttgcagagttttgtacatattgtccaaatgtt catcaacacttcttga SEQIDNO:14showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-21. atgagatccagtcctggcaacatggagaggattgtcatctgtctgat ggtcatcttcttggggacactggtccacaaatcaagctcccaaggtc aagatcgccacatgattagaatgcgtcaacttatagatattgttgat cagctgaaaaattatgtgaatgacttggtccctgaatttctgccagc tccagaagatgtagagacaaactgtgagtggtcagctttttcctgct ttcagaaggcccaactaaagtcagcaaatacaggaaacaatgaaagg ataatcaatgtatcaattaaaaagctgaagaggaaaccaccttccac aaatgcagggagaagacagaaacacagactaacatgcccttcatgtg attcttatgagaaaaaaccacccaaagaattcctagaaagattcaaa tcacttctccaaaagatgattcatcagcatctgtcctctagaacaca cggaagtgaagattcctga SEQIDNO:15showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-25. Atgagggagcgacccagattaggtgaggacagttctctcattagcct tttcctacaggtggttgcattcttggcaatggtcatgggaacccaca cctacagccactggcccagctgctgccccagcaaagggcaggacacc tctgaggagctgctgaggtggagcactgtgcctgtgcctcccctaga gcctgctaggcccaaccgccacccagagtcctgtagggccagtgaag atggacccctcaacagcagggccatctccccctggagatatgagttg gacagagacttgaaccggctcccccaggacctgtaccacgcccgttg cctgtgcccgcactgcgtcagcctacagacaggctcccacatggacc cccggggcaactcggagctgctctaccacaaccagactgtcttctac cggcggccatgccatggcgagaagggcacccacaagggctactgcct ggagcgcaggctgtaccgtgtttccttagcttgtgtgtgtgtgcggc cccgtgtgatgggctag SEQIDNO:16showsthenucleotidesequenceof humanIL-33,inwhichshowninboldisthe nucleotidesequencecomprisedinthepropeptide. atgaagcctaaaatgaagtattcaaccaacaaaatttccacagcaaa gtggaagaacacagcaagcaaagccttgtgtttcaagctgggaaaat cccaacagaaggccaaagaagtttgccccatgtactttatgaagctc cgctctggccttatgataaaaaaggaggcctgttactttaggagaga aaccaccaaaaggccttcactgaaaacaggtagaaagcacaaaagac atctggtactcgctgcctgtcaacagcagtctactgtggagtgcttt gcctttggtatatcaggggtccagaaatatactagagcacttcatga ttcaagtatcacaggaatttcacctattacagagtatcttgcttctc taagcacatacaatgatcaatccattacttttgctttggaggatgaa agttatgagatatatgttgaagacttgaaaaaagatgaaaagaaaga taaggtgttactgagttactatgagtctcaacacccctcaaatgaat caggtgacggtgttgatggtaagatgttaatggtaaccctgagtcct acaaaagacttctggttgcatgccaacaacaaggaacactctgtgga gctccataagtgtgaaaaaccactgccagaccaggccttctttgtcc ttcataatatgcactccaactgtgtttcatttgaatgcaagactgat cctggagtgtttataggtgtaaaggataatcatcttgctctgattaa agtagactcttctgagaatttgtgtactgaaaatatcttgtttaagc tctctgaaacttag SEQIDNO:17showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryHSA-IL-7fusionprotein,inwhich thelinkerregionGGGGSisshowninunderlined andhumanIL-7isfusedtotheC-terminalof humanserumalbumin. DAHKSEVAHRFKDLGEENFKALVLIAFAQYLQQCPFEDHVKLVNEVT EFAKTCVADESAENCDKSLHTLFGDKLCTVATLRETYGEMADCCAKQ EPERNECFLQHKDDNPNLPRLVRPEVDVMCTAFHDNEETFLKKYLYE IARRHPYFYAPELLFFAKRYKAAFTECCQAADKAACLLPKLDELRDE GKASSAKQRLKCASLQKFGERAFKAWAVARLSQRFPKAEFAEVSKLV TDLTKVHTECCHGDLLECADDRADLAKYICENQDSISSKLKECCEKP LLEKSHCIAEVENDEMPADLPSLAADFVESKDVCKNYAEAKDVFLGM FLYEYARRHPDYSVVLLLRLAKTYETTLEKCCAAADPHECYAKVFDE FKPLVEEPQNLIKQNCELFEQLGEYKFQNALLVRYTKKVPQVSTPTL VEVSRNLGKVGSKCCKHPEAKRMPCAEDYLSVVLNQLCVLHEKTPVS DRVTKCCTESLVNRRPCFSALEVDETYVPKEFNAETFTFHADICTLS EKERQIKKQTALVELVKHKPKATKEQLKAVMDDFAAFVEKCCKADDK ETCFAEEGKKLVAASQAALGLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDCDIEGKDGKQ YESVLMVSIDQLLDSMKEIGSNCLNNEFNFFKRHICDANKEGMFLFR AARKLRQFLKMNSTGDFDLHLLKVSEGTTILLNCTGQVKGRKPAALG EAQPTKSLEENKSLKEQKKLNDLCFLKRLLQEIKTCWNKILMGTKEH SEQIDNO:18showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryIL-25-HSAfusionprotein,in whichthelinkerregionGGGGSisshownin underlinedandhumanIL-25isfusedtothe N-terminalofhumanserumalbumin. YSHWPSCCPSKGQDTSEELLRWSTVPVPPLEPARPNRHPESCRASED GPLNSRAISPWRYELDRDLNRLPQDLYHARCLCPHCVSLQTGSHMDP RGNSELLYHNQTVFYRRPCHGEKGTHKGYCLERRLYRVSLACVCVRP RVMGGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDAHKSEVAHRFKDLGEENFKALVLIAFA QYLQQCPFEDHVKLVNEVTEFAKTCVADESAENCDKSLHTLFGDKLC TVATLRETYGEMADCCAKQEPERNECFLQHKDDNPNLPRLVRPEVDV MCTAFHDNEETFLKKYLYEIARRHPYFYAPELLFFAKRYKAAFTECC QAADKAACLLPKLDELRDEGKASSAKQRLKCASLQKFGERAFKAWAV ARLSQRFPKAEFAEVSKLVTDLTKVHTECCHGDLLECADDRADLAKY ICENQDSISSKLKECCEKPLLEKSHCIAEVENDEMPADLPSLAADFV ESKDVCKNYAEAKDVFLGMFLYEYARRHPDYSVVLLLRLAKTYETTL EKCCAAADPHECYAKVFDEFKPLVEEPQNLIKQNCELFEQLGEYKFQ NALLVRYTKKVPQVSTPTLVEVSRNLGKVGSKCCKHPEAKRMPCAED YLSVVLNQLCVLHEKTPVSDRVTKCCTESLVNRRPCFSALEVDETYV PKEFNAETFTFHADICTLSEKERQIKKQTALVELVKHKPKATKEQLK AVMDDFAAFVEKCCKADDKETCFAEEGKKLVAASQAALGL SEQIDNO:19showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryIgG4mFc-IL-7fusionprotein,in whichthelinkerregionGGGGSisshownin underlinedandhumanIL-7isfusedtothe C-terminalofhumanIgG4mFc. ESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVD VSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQD WLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMT KNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFL YSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGKGGGGSG GGGSGGGGSDCDIEGKDGKQYESVLMVSIDQLLDSMKEIGSNCLNNE FNFFKRHICDANKEGMFLFRAARKLRQFLKMNSTGDFDLHLLKVSEG TTILLNCTGQVKGRKPAALGEAQPTKSLEENKSLKEQKKLNDLCFLK RLLQEIKTCWNKILMGTKEH SEQIDNO:20showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryIgG4mFc-IL-25fusionprotein,in whichthelinkerregionGGGGSisshownin underlinedandhumanIL-25isfusedtothe C-terminalofhumanIgG4mFc. ESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVD VSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQD WLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMT KNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFL YSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGKGGGGSG GGGSGGGGSYSHWPSCCPSKGQDTSEELLRWSTVPVPPLEPARPNRH PESCRASEDGPLNSRAISPWRYELDRDLNRLPQDLYHARCLCPHCVS LQTGSHMDPRGNSELLYHNQTVFYRRPCHGEKGTHKGYCLERRLYRV SLACVCVRPRVMG SEQIDNO:21isuPA(thesubstratesequenceof urokinase-typeplasminogenactivator)sensitive cleavagesequence,and showsthecleavage site. LSGRSDNH SEQIDNO:22islegumain(cysteineprotease) sensitivecleavagesequence,and showsthe cleavagesite. AANL SEQIDNO:23islegumain(cysteineprotease) sensitivecleavagesequence,and showsthe cleavagesite. AANV SEQIDNO:24isMMP-1sensitivecleavage sequence,and showsthecleavagesite. PLGLWA SEQIDNO:25isMMP-2/9sensitivecleavage sequence,and showsthecleavagesite. PAALVGA SEQIDNO:26isMMP-14sensitivecleavage sequence,and showsthecleavagesite. SGRIGFLRTA SEQIDNO:32isMMP-14sensitivecleavage sequence,and showsthecleavagesite. PAGLVG SEQIDNO:27isCathepsinBsensitive cleavagesequence,and showsthe cleavagesite. GFLG SEQIDNO:28isglycin-serinelinker. (GGGGS).sub.n, n= 1-3 SEQIDNO:29is-helixformingpeptide linker. (EAAAK).sub.n, n= 2-5 SEQIDNO:30showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryIL-25+ IL7recombinantprotein, inwhichthesequenceoftheuPAcleavable peptidelinkerbetweentwoactivecomponentsis showninbold,uPArecognitionsubstrate sequenceisshowninsingle-underlined,and tumorpenetratingpeptideiRGDisshownin double-underlined. YSHWPSCCPSKGQDTSEELLRWSTVPVPPLEPARPNRHPESCRASED GPLNSRAISPWRYELDRDLNRLPQDLYHARCLCPHCVSLQTGSHMDP RGNSELLYHNQTVFYRRPCHGEKGTHKGYCLERRLYRVSLACVCVRP RVMGGGSGLSGRSDNHGGGGSDCDIEGKDGKQYESVLMVSIDQLLDS MKEIGSNCLNNEFNFFKRHICDANKEGMFLFRAARKLRQFLKMNSTG DFDLHLLKVSEGTTILLNCTGQVKGRKPAALGEAQPTKSLEENKSLK EQKKLNDLCFLKRLLQEIKTCWNKILMGTKEHGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS SEQIDNO:31showstheaminoacidsequenceof theexemplaryIL-25+ IL-7+ IL-2recombinant protein,inwhichthesequenceoftheuPA cleavablepeptidelinkerbetweenactive componentsisshowninbold,uPAsubstrate sequenceisshowninsingle-underlined,and tumorpenetratingpeptideiRGDisshownin double-underlined. YSHWPSCCPSKGQDTSEELLRWSTVPVPPLEPARPNRHPESCRASED GPLNSRAISPWRYELDRDLNRLPQDLYHARCLCPHCVSLQTGSHMDP RGNSELLYHNQTVFYRRPCHGEKGTHKGYCLERRLYRVSLACVCVRP RVMGGGSGLSGRSDNHGGGGSDCDIEGKDGKQYESVLMVSIDQLLDS MKEIGSNCLNNEFNFFKRHICDANKEGMFLFRAARKLRQFLKMNSTG DFDLHLLKVSEGTTILLNCTGQVKGRKPAALGEAQPTKSLEENKSLK EQKKLNDLCFLKRLLQEIKTCWNKILMGTKEHGGGSGLSGRSDNHGG GGSAPTSSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTAMLTKKF YMPKKATELKHLQCLEEELKPLEEVLNLAQSKNFHLRPRDLISNINV IVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNRWITFCQSIISTLTGGGGS GGGGSGGGGS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Unless otherwise stated, each term in the present disclosure has the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] As used herein, the terms c-cytokine or c-cytokine family and common cytokine receptor gamma-chain family are used interchangeably and refer to the family of cytokines composed of six members (i.e., IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21), all members of which signal through a receptor complex containing a common cytokine receptor gamma chain subunit.

[0058] In one embodiment, typical suitable c-cytokines include the mature portions in which the respective signal peptide sequences are removed or the active portions in which internal partial amino acids are deleted. For example, IL-7 includes but is not limited to the mature IL-7 polypeptide portion (the signal peptide sequence in the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 is removed), or includes sequences in which some of the amino acids at positions 96 to 114 of SEQ ID NO: 3 are deleted.

[0059] As used herein, IL-25, also known as IL-17E, is a member of the structurally related IL-17 family but is functionally distinct from other IL-17 family members. A typical suitable IL-25 includes, but is not limited to, the mature IL-25 polypeptide portion (the signal peptide sequence in the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 is removed).

[0060] As used herein, IL-33 is a new member of the IL-1 family. A typical suitable IL-33 includes, but is not limited to, the mature portion of the IL-33 polypeptide (the bold sequence in the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16 is removed).

[0061] In the present disclosure, reference to the amino acid sequences of various cytokines and the nucleotide sequences encoding the same encompasses their corresponding variants or mutants. Various variants or mutants of cytokines known in the art can be used herein, and can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Generally, a variant of a particular nucleotide sequence will have at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% or higher sequence identity with the particular nucleotide sequence, or be complementary sequences of the above. Such variant sequences include additions, deletions or substitutions of one or more nucleic acid residues, which may result in the addition, removal or substitution of corresponding amino acid residues. Sequence identity is determined by sequence alignment programs known in the art, including hybridization techniques.

[0062] Thus, nucleotide sequence variants can differ from the indicated sequences by as few as 1-15 nucleotides, as few as 1-10 (e.g., 6-10), as few as 5, as few as 4, 3, 2 or even 1 nucleotide. Accordingly, amino acid sequence variants can differ from the indicated sequences by as few as 1-15 amino acids, as few as 1-10 (eg, 6-10), as few as 5, as few as 4, 3, 2 or even 1 amino acid.

[0063] In one embodiment, taking IL-7 as an example, its variants may be active variants having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% or higher identity with the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3. Correspondingly, the variants of the nucleic acid encoding IL-7 may be those having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% or higher identity with the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11.

[0064] In certain embodiments, to extend the in vivo half-life of a peptide or proteinaceous drug, and to improve its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, the various cytokines provided herein may also have any suitable chemical modifications known in the art, e.g., PEGylation, Xtenylation, PASylation, Hesylation or fusion with other proteins. The various cytokines provided herein may also have or have no a tag, including but not limited to any subtypes or variants of human antibody Fc, human serum albumin (HSA) or human transferrin, and these tags are fused to the N-terminal or C- terminal of cytokines.

[0065] Specifically, Xtenylation involves an XTEN technology recently developed by Amunix, Inc., which relies on the peptide chains of different lengths without specific conformation consisting of six amino acids, Ala, Glu, Gly, Pro, Ser, and Thr, termed as XTEN sequences. When linked to the peptide or proteinaceous drug via a gene fusion method, it increases the solubility and stability of the drug, and is characterized by low immunogenicity, high product purity, and complete biodegradation. In addition, XL-protein Inc. uses a random coiled protein structure constructed by repeated Pro, Ala, and Ser. This technique, called PASylation, uses these three amino acids to form a PAS sequence of 200-600 amino acid residues. Linking the PAS sequence to proteinaceous or peptide drugs via a gene fusion method, increases the volume, thereby preventing rapid filtration of the kidney and prolonging the half-life.

[0066] In one embodiment, with the IL-7 and IL-25 as an example, the amino acid sequences of their human serum albumin (HSA) fusion proteins are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 17 and 18, respectively, and the amino acid sequences of the IgG4mFc fusion proteins are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 19 and 20, respectively.

[0067] In certain embodiments, in order to enhance the enrichment of a protein of interest in a tumor, a tumor-penetrating peptide can be fused to the N-terminal or C-terminal of the cytokines, including but not limited to fusion of cRGD peptide or cNGR at its N-terminal, fusion of iRGD peptide or iNGR peptide or pHLIPs peptide at its C-terminal; a tumor-targeted single-chain or single-domain antibody can be fused to the N-terminal or C-terminal of cytokines, including but not limited to fusion with single-chain or single-domain antibody targeting Tn-Mucl, EDB-Fibronectin, mesothelin, FAP, CEA, HER2, GD2, PD-L1 or EGFR.

[0068] In certain embodiments, in order to simplify the dosage form, process, and the convenience of application of a combination drug, the various combinations of cytokines provided herein can be achieved by fusion proteins, and the peptide linker which are cleavable in vivo or intratumorally can be comprised between the active components of the recombinant protein.

[0069] In one embodiment, with the IL-7 and IL-25 as an example, the amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein of IL-25 and IL-7 comprising the uPA cleavable linker and the tumor penetrating peptide iRGD is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 30.

[0070] In one embodiment, with the IL-7, IL-25 and IL-2v variants (R38A/F42K) as an example, the amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein of IL-25, IL-7 and IL-2v comprising the uPA cleavable linker and the tumor penetrating peptide iRGD is set forth in SEQ ID NO:31.

[0071] As used herein, the term recombinant protein refers to a specific recombinant protein molecule which is expressed by the use of genetic recombination techniques known in the art to obtain a recombinant vector linked to a gene fragment that can be translated into a protein of interest, which is then transformed into a host cell which expresses the protein of interest.

[0072] In one embodiment, the recombinant protein provided herein includes, but is not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of c-cytokine family members, such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 or IL-21, and IL-25 or IL-33.

[0073] In another embodiment, the referred nucleic acid coding sequences of these cytokines herein may be present in separate vectors; or the nucleic acid coding sequences of these cytokines are present in the same vector in combinations of any two or three.

[0074] Further, the recombinant protein provided herein can be expressed by different cells or populations of cells, or by the same cell or population of cells.

[0075] Alternatively, the recombinant nucleic acid molecule or vector provided herein can be included in different cells or population of cells, or can be included in the same cell or population of cells.

[0076] As used herein, the term vector refers to any recombinant polynucleotide that can be used to introduce heterologous DNA into a host cell to result in phenotype transformation. One type of vector is a plasmid that involves a circular double-stranded nucleic acid into which other deoxyribonucleic acid fragments can be inserted. Another type of vector is a viral vector in which an exogenous DNA fragment can be inserted into a viral genome, and transcripts can be packaged into infectious viral particles and transduced into target cells. Upon transduction, some viral vectors, such as retroviral or lentiviral vectors, can be integrated into the host cell genome and replicate together with the host genome.

[0077] Furthermore, vectors capable of directing gene expression are referred to as expression vectors. In particular, an expression vector is capable of replicating and expressing a gene of interest in a transformed or transfected host cell. The expression vector can include one or more phenotypic selection markers and a replication origin sequence to ensure amplification of the maintained vector within organism's cells. Expression vectors also include the expression of a promoter-driven polypeptide in a cell. A suitable expression vector can be a plasmid or a viral vector.

[0078] As used herein, the term prevention and/or treatment includes preventing, inhibiting, curing, alleviating or ameliorating a malignant tumor, as well as preventing or delaying the metastasis of primary cancer.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the malignant tumors that are prevented and/or treated include malignant tumors at various stages, such as sarcomas and carcinomas, including but not limited to the following types: fibrosarcoma, mucinous sarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endothelial sarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangial endothelial sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweat gland cancer, sebaceous gland cancer, papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, bronchial carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonic carcinoma, nephroblastoma, cervical cancer, testicular tumor, lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, epithelial cancer, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pineal tumors, hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, meningioma, oligodendroglioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma.

[0080] In one embodiment, the sarcoma that is prevented and/or treated is such as fibrosarcoma, mucinous sarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endothelial sarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangial endothelial sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, etc.

[0081] In another embodiment, the cancer that is prevented and/or treated is such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweat gland cancer, sebaceous gland cancer, papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, bronchial carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, nephroblastoma, cervical cancer, testicular tumor, lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, epithelial cancer, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pineal tumor, hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, meningioma, oligodendroglioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, etc.

[0082] In yet another embodiment, the advanced cancer that is prevented and/or treated includes malignant melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, head and neck cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, and advanced cancer which has developed to a certain stage and is unable to be cured by conventional therapy.

[0083] As used herein, the term combination therapy refers to the administration of the combination of at least one of c-cytokine or an active part or variant thereof and at least one of IL-25 or IL-33 or an active part or variant thereof to a subject in need thereof. Combination therapy can provide synergistic and synergistic effects, i.e., the effect achieved when the active ingredients are used together is higher than the sum of the effects achieved when the compounds are used separately. When the active ingredients are: (1) co-prepared and administered, or simultaneously delivered in the form of a combined preparation; (2) as separate preparations, delivered alternately or in parallel; or (3) by some other means, synergistic effects can be achieved.

[0084] For example, in one embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) any one, two, three, four, five or six of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21; and ii) any one or two of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-25 and IL-33.

[0085] In a specific embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) any one or two of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21; and ii) any one of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-25 and IL-33.

[0086] In another embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) any one or two interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15; and ii) any one of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-25 and IL-33.

[0087] In still another embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) any one or two of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15; and ii) IL -25.

[0088] Further, in one embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) IL-7; and ii) any one of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-25 and IL-33.

[0089] Still further, in another embodiment, the combinations provided herein comprise or consist of: i) IL-7; ii) IL-25; and iii) any one of interleukins selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-9 and IL-15.

[0090] In certain embodiments, a combination comprising three interleukins exhibits more potent inhibitory and less time-consuming effect on tumors as compared to a combination comprising two interleukins.

[0091] In particular embodiments, the interleukin combinations provided herein can be administered to an individual simultaneously or sequentially.

[0092] In a specific embodiment, the interleukin combination provided herein can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously or intraperitoneally or intramuscularly to an individual.

[0093] As used herein, the term therapeutically effective amount can be determined on a case-by-case basis, and can be readily grasped by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the actual amount of drug required, such as being determined based on the patient's weight, age, and condition. Since extracts are all non-toxic ingredients, they can be administered directly as desired, in which the composition does not contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. When a composition contains a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, they can be mixed in a conventional manner in the pharmaceutical field to prepare a desired drug.

[0094] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the combination therapy herein will be described by taking a combination of IL-7 and IL-25 as an example.

[0095] In one embodiment, a combination of IL-7 and IL-25 or a combination of active mutants thereof is administered to a mammalian host. In another embodiment, in addition to the purified recombinant proteins, IL-7 and IL-25 may also be derived from genetically engineered cells, including but not limited to any transformed cells, autologous cells such as dendritic cells or T cells, which can be transformed by viral vectors to express active IL-7 or IL-25 or both, and can be applied to an organism. In yet another embodiment, the transformed cells or cell lines can be encapsulated in a hydrogel such as a sodium alginate gel, thereby being applied to an organism.

[0096] In one embodiment, the preferred dose of the IL-7 and IL-25 recombinant protein for individual treatment is 0.0001-10 mg/kg body weight/day. In another embodiment, upon microencapsulation of an engineered cell line expressing IL-7 or IL-25, the preferred dose for an organism is between 110.sup.6 and 110.sup.12.

[0097] In certain embodiments, the combination of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-25 as described herein can be obtained by mixing IL-7- and IL-25-producing cells. In a specific embodiment, microencapsulated engineered cells that simultaneously produce both cytokines of IL-7 and IL-25 can be injected subcutaneously or intraperitoneally into a host.

[0098] In certain embodiments, the combination of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-25 as described herein can be delivered by injecting a recombinant fusion protein comprising an intratumorally cleavable peptide between the IL-7 and IL-25 molecules. In a specific embodiment, the recombinant protein can be injected intravenously or intraperitoneally or intratumorally into a host.

[0099] When engineered autologous dendritic cells capable of simultaneously secreting both

[0100] IL-7 and IL-25 are used as a combination therapy, the preferred dose is between 110.sup.6 and 110.sup.12 cells, and these cells can be injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly into a host. Similarly, if the cells used are T cells, the same dose can be used, but T cells are injected intravenously into a host.

[0101] The following examples are only for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the application. Unless otherwise indicated, the examples are performed according to routine experimental conditions, such as the Sambrook J & Russell D W, Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, 2001, or those as suggested by the manufacturer's instructions.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0102] In this example, IL-7 is taken as an example to provide a method for preparing a tumor cell pool for producing cytokines, which specifically comprises the following steps:

[0103] In the first step, the cDNA of the mouse cytokine IL-7 containing the coding sequence and the signal peptide was synthesized from a self-synthesized mouse spleen and lung reverse transcription reaction products (manufactured by the reverse transcription reaction kit of Thermo Scientific Inc.) by PCR.

[0104] In the second step, these genes were separately cloned into the retroviral vector pBabe-SV40-puro (purchased from http://www.addgene.org/) and the resultant sequences were confirmed.

[0105] In the third step, human embryonic kidney HEK293T cells (purchased from http://www.atcc.org/) were co-transfected with pCL-Ampho helper plasmid (purchased from NOVUS Biologicals Inc.) and pBabe-derived plasmid expressing cytokines to produce a retrovirus.

[0106] Briefly, the medium of HEK293T cells plated in p100 cell culture dishes on the previous day was replaced with pre-warmed pen/strp-free DMEM-10 medium (DMEM containing 10% fetal calf serum and glutamine) 10 min prior to transient transfection. 5 g of pCL-Ampho helper plasmid and 5 g of pBabe-derived plasmid were mixed in an Eppendof tube, and then added 1 ml of Opti-MEM medium and 30 l of PEI transfection reagent. After incubation for 10 minutes at room temperature, the DNA pellet-containing mixture was added to the culture dish of the above HEK-293T cells. After 6 hours, Pen/strp was added overnight, and then replaced with new DMEM-10 medium. After 24 hours, the supernatant containing the retrovirus was collected and sterilized through a 45 M filter.

[0107] In the fourth step, mouse melanoma B16F10 cells (purchased from http://www.atcc.org/) were transduced with retrovirus, and a tumor cell pool producing cytokine IL-7 was obtained after enrichment.

[0108] Briefly, B16F10 cells cultured in p100 cell culture dishes were transduced overnight with the resultant retrovirus plus polybrene (final concentration of 8 g/mL), and then the culture medium was changed to DMEM10 medium and puromycin (final concentration of 3 g/mL) was added to enrich cells transduced by viruses. The cells were expanded and frozen in a cryopreservation solution for long-term storage.

[0109] Similarly, tumor cell pools comprising other cytokines, such as IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-9, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-21, IL-25, IL-28, IL-36, can be produced. Furthermore, the above two or more cell pools can be pooled to produce a tumor cell pool that co-expresses two or more cytokines.

Example 2

[0110] Upon the preparation of a tumor cell pool for producing cytokines, in this example, combination of cytokines which synergistically inhibits tumor growth is further screened by in vivo experiments.

[0111] Experimental animals: Female C57BL/6 mice, approximately 2-3 months old, were shaved on both sides to facilitate injection to tumor cells and measurement of tumor size.

[0112] Cell preparation: B16F10 primary cells that did not grow to complete confluence were trypsinized, and the cell concentration was determined by a hemocytometer.

[0113] In vivo experiments: 510.sup.5 B16F10 primary cells suspended in RPMI-1640 medium were injected intradermally (i.d.) into the left of female C57BL/6 mice as response tumors. Similarly, a tumor cell pool expressing specific cytokines or combinations thereof (each 110.sup.6 cells) were injected intradermally into the right as cytokine tumors. Mice were sacrificed on day 16 and tumor size was measured.

[0114] cytokine tumor used herein is a drug-sustaining generator that will continuously release cytokines to activate the body's immune system. The activated immune system will kill the cytokine tumor itself and response tumors, while the size of effect tumors reflects the actual therapeutic effect of the combination drug. The drug combination for the inhibition of unilateral tumors (mostly for cytokine tumors themselves) indicates that the combination requires a relatively high concentration of cytokines or has the effect of stimulating immune cells resident in local tissues to inhibit tumors, or the combination has strong chemotaxis-promoting effect and can be used as a control. A combination exhibiting significant inhibitory effect on both sides of tumors is considered to be a therapeutically valuable combination.

[0115] The experimental flow diagram of the above-described preparation of a cytokine-producing tumor cell pool and verification of tumor growth inhibition is shown in FIG. 1.

[0116] FIG. 2 shows exemplary results demonstrating tumor growth inhibition using different cytokine-producing tumor cell pools or combinations thereof.

Example 3

[0117] This example utilizes a pool of tumor cells producing the cytokines IL-7 and IL-25 to treat tumors, as follows.

[0118] Female C57BL/6 mice of 2-3 month old were divided into the following 4 groups with 10 per group:

[0119] Control group, 510.sup.5 B16F10 primary cells were injected intradermally on both sides;

[0120] IL-7 treatment group, the IL-7-producing cell pool (1 million) was injected into the right side of the mouse, and the B16F10 primary cell was injected into the left side (510.sup.5 as an response tumor);

[0121] IL-25 treatment group, the IL-25-producing cell pool was intradermally injected into the right side, and the B16F10 primary cells were intradermally injected into the left side;

[0122] IL-7+IL-25 treatment group, 1 million of each IL-7- and IL-25-producing cell pool were intradermally injected into the right side, and the B16F10 primary cells were intradermally injected into the left side.

[0123] After 4 days, the tumor area on both sides was measured daily using a vernier caliper.

[0124] The experimental results are shown in FIG. 3.

[0125] In addition, the cell pool co-expressing hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25 obtained the same result.

Example 4

[0126] This example provides expression and purification of the recombinant hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25 proteins, and the therapeutic effects thereof on tumors.

[0127] 1. Expression and Purification of Recombinant hu-IL-7 or hu-IL-25 Protein

[0128] The 6 His N-terminally labeled human IL-7 or IL-25 cDNA non-signal peptide region coding sequence was synthesized by PCR and cloned into the pET15 plasmid vector (purchased from Novagen Inc.).

[0129] After sequence verification, the vector was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) (purchased from NEB Inc.), and the transformed single colonies were inoculated into 10 ml of LB medium (containing 100 g/ml ampicillin) and cultured overnight on a shaker at 250 rpm/min at 37 C. 5 ml of the initial culture was transferred to 500 ml of ampicillin-containing LB medium, and cultured on a shaker at 25 C. until the OD600 reached about 0.4. IPTG was added to 200 M to induce culture overnight.

[0130] The obtained culture was centrifuged and resuspended in suspension buffer (containing 20 mM HEPES pH 7.5, sodium chloride 50 mM, 0.5 mM EDTA, a protease inhibitor). The cells were disrupted by ultrasonic wave, and the supernatant was removed after high speed centrifugation. The precipitate containing the inclusion body was washed once with a suspension buffer, and then dissolved in a denaturing buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 500 mM NaCl, 6 M guanidine hydrochloride). Upon centrifugation at high speed, the supernatant contained denatured inclusion body proteins.

[0131] The resulted supernatant was passed through a 1.5 ml Ni-NTA agarose affinity chromatography column to further purify the denatured proteins. The column was washed with 20 ml of denaturing buffer, and then washed with 10 ml of denaturing buffer containing 10 mM imidazole. The recombinant protein was eluted with 10 ml of denaturing buffer containing 0.1 M imidazole.

[0132] The protein renaturation procedure was subsequently performed. The eluted mixed proteins were dialyzed with dialysis buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl pH8.0, sodium chloride 50 mM, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM DTT, 6 M guanidine hydrochloride) for 24 hours at 4 C. They were then dialyzed overnight with dialysis buffer A without DTT. The proteins were adjusted to 0.2 mg/ml of concentration, and then dialyzed with renaturation buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 100 mM arginine, 5 mM reduced glutathione, 0.5 mM oxidized glutathione, 50 mM NaCl) for 3 days at 4 C. with dialysate changing daily. The proteins were then dialyzed overnight with glutathione-free renaturation buffer, and finally dialyzed with 1 PBS for one day. The renatured protein solution was centrifuged to remove residual aggregates. Residual trace amount of LPS was removed through a 1 ml polymyxin B agarose column. The proteins were concentrated by ultrafiltration. The purified protein was subpackaged and stored.

[0133] The protein concentration was determined by the Bradford method. 10 g of the partially purified protein was subjected to 4-20% SDS PAG gradient gel electrophoresis, and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. The results are shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

[0134] 2. Treatment of Tumors with the Combination of Purified IL-7 and IL-25 Proteins

[0135] Tumors were treated with the combination of purified IL-7 and IL-25 proteins. If the hosts had used antibiotics, the administration of all antibiotics should be terminated at least one of week prior to treatment and during treatment, as antibiotic administration will severely affect the efficacy of combination therapy or make treatment completely fail. C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups with 10 per group. All mice were intradermally injected with 510.sup.5 B16F10 cells on both sides. After one day of injection, the mice were treated as follows:

[0136] Control group, 0.2 ml PBS;

[0137] hu-IL-7 protein treatment group, 0.2 ml PBS containing 5 g hu-IL-7 protein;

[0138] hu-IL-25 protein treatment group, 0.2 ml PBS containing 5 g hu-IL-25 protein;

[0139] hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25 protein combination treatment group, 0.2 ml PBS containing 5 g of each hu-IL-7 protein and hu-IL-25 protein.

[0140] The mice were intraperitoneally injected twice a day, and the tumor area was measured daily using a vernier caliper four days after the start of treatment.

[0141] The results are shown in FIG. 4C.

Example 5

[0142] This example utilizes the combination of purified hu-IL-7-HSA and hu-IL-25-HSA to treat human tumors.

[0143] Recombinant HSA-IL-7 (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3) and IL-25-HSA (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 4) were respectively expressed in CHO cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells), and these two purified recombinant proteins were produced in GMP-compliant environment for human tumor therapy.

[0144] Administration of all antibiotics was terminated at least one of week prior to treatment and during treatment. Hu-IL-7-HSA and hu-IL-25-HSA were mixed in proportion and then administered intravenously or intraperitoneally or subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The therapeutic dose is 0.0001-100 mg/kg body weight and it was administered once at intervals of average 5-30 days. The tumor size was measured four months later to determine the therapeutic effect.

Example 6

[0145] This example utilizes the combination of purified IgG4m-Fc-IL-7 and IgG4m-Fc-IL-25 to treat human tumors.

[0146] Recombinant human IgG4m-Fc-IL-7 (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 5) and IgG4m-Fc-IL-25 (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6) were respectively expressed in human retinal PER.C6 cells, and these two purified recombinant proteins were produced in GMP-compliant environment for human tumor therapy.

[0147] Administration of all antibiotics was terminated at least one of week prior to treatment and during treatment. IgG4m-Fc-IL-7 and IgG4m-Fc-IL-25 were mixed in proportion and then administered intravenously or intraperitoneally or subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The therapeutic dose was 0.0001-10 mg/kg body weight, and it was administered once at intervals of average 5-30 days. The tumor size was measured four months later to determine the therapeutic effect.

Example 7

[0148] This example utilizes autologous T cells co-expressing IL-7 and IL-25 to treat tumors.

[0149] The expression cassette co-expressing hu-IL-7, hu-IL-25, and IRES-hu-CD19 with the intracellular domain removed, was cloned into the transposon vector pSBbi bidirectional promoter vector (purchased from Addgene).

[0150] 50 ml of peripheral blood from a donor was taken, and lymphocytes were isolated by Ficoll-paque. After immunofluorescence staining, CD3.sup.+PD1.sup.+CD25.sup. T cells were sorted by flow cytometry.

[0151] In addition, T cell populations also can be isolated from Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from fresh tumor tissues.

[0152] Transposon vector (2.5 g) co-expressing hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25-IRES-hu-CD19 and SB100 (0.5 g) transposase expression vector were co-transfected into prepared 110.sup.7 T cells by electroporation (Lonza, T cell nucleofection kit). After overnight incubation, cells were incubated with mouse anti-human CD3 antibody-conjugated magnetic beads and mouse anti-human CD28 antibody for 24 to 48 hours, and then incubated with hu-IL-2-containing medium for two days. The transfected T cells were sorted by Biotin-anti-hu-CD19 antibody and magnetic beads of streptavidin and continued to expand to the desired dose.

[0153] The prepared T cells were intravenously returned to the donor at a dose of 10.sup.5-10.sup.9 cells/kg body weight/time. The T cells was returned once every 5 to 100 days, and the tumor size was measured four months later to determine the therapeutic effect.

Example 8

[0154] This example utilizes cells co-expressing IL-7 and IL-25 or IL-33 encapsulated into sodium alginate microcapsules to treat tumors.

[0155] Cells that co-express IL-7 and IL-25 or IL-7 and IL-33 were respectively encapsulated into a multi-layer sodium alginate microencapsulation system (Bhuhbal et al., 2014, Sci. Rep. 4: 6856) as follows.

[0156] Lentiviral vectors co-expressing IL-7 and IL-25 or IL-7 and IL-33 were transduced into baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) and cloned and expanded.

[0157] The cells were precipitated by centrifugation (final concentration of 6 million/ml) and mixed with medium guluronic acid (G)-sodium alginate (final concentration of 3.4%), and converted into droplets by a 27 G needle using an electrostatic bead generator. The droplets were collected in 100 mM CaCl.sub.2 gel solution for 5 minutes. These microspheres were incubated with 0.05% polylysine (PLL). The PLL-coated microcapsules were then co-incubated with 0.34% of medium-G sodium alginate dissolved in calcium-free Krebs-Ringer-Hepes (KRH) solution (120 mM NaCl, KCl 5 mM, 1 mM magnesium chloride, 25 mM sodium bicarbonate, 5.5 mM Hepes, 1 mM glucose, pH 7.20.15) to form sodium alginate-poly-L-lysine-sodium alginate (APA) microcapsules. The cells containing the medium G alginate-PLL membrane were then suspended in 2% high G sodium alginate solution. This solution was collected in a 100 mM CaCl.sub.2 gel solution through a 23 G needle using another type of droplet generator. These microencapsulated cells were cultured in a cell culture flask with culture medium (DMEM, 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and antifungal agent) in a standard tissue culture incubator. The medium was changed every other day. Administration of all antibiotics to the host was terminated at least one of week prior to treatment and during treatment. The microencapsulated cells were then implanted intradermally or intraperitoneally into the animal body at a dose between 110.sup.7 and 110.sup.12 cells, once every 2-12 months, as a combination for cancer therapy.

Example 9

[0158] This example utilizes adenovirus co-expressing hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25 to treat tumors.

[0159] Adenovirus was generated using the adenovirus pAdEasy system (Luo et al 2007, Nat. Protocol, 2, 12360-1247) as follows.

[0160] The hu-IL-7 and hu-IL-25 coding sequences were cloned into the shuttle vector of pAdTrack-CMV. After identification by sequencing, the vector was linearized with PmeI, and 0.5 g of linearized vector was transformed into pAdEasy competent cells by electroporation. The identified cloned plasmid was then transformed into DH10B competent cells, and the recombinant adenovirus plasmid was amplified and purified. 3 g of adenoviral plasmid was linearized with PacI and transfected into HEK293 adenovirus packaging cells. After 14-20 days, the cells were collected and the adenovirus was extracted by repeated freeze-thaw method. The high titer adenovirus was then amplified and purified stepwise. The titer of the resultant adenovirus was measured and the amount of IL-7 and IL-25 produced by the infected target cells in vitro was measured by ELISA. The quality-controlled adenovirus was injected into the patient's tumor with a syringe, and the dose was determined according to the size of the tumor. 10.sup.8-10.sup.13 pfu of adenoviruses were injected into each tumor.

Example 10

[0161] This example tests the therapeutic activity against tumors using purified hu-IL-25-hu-IL-7-iRGD recombinant protein.

[0162] The recombinant hu-IL-25-hu-IL-7-iRGD recombinant protein (as shown in SEQ ID NO: 30) was expressed in CHO cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells), and the recombinant protein was produced and purified in GMP-compliant environment for tumor therapy.

[0163] Administration of all antibiotics was terminated at least one of week prior to treatment and during treatment. The recombinant hu-IL-25-hu-IL-7-iRGD recombinant protein was administered intravenously or intraperitoneally or subcutaneously or intramuscularly or intratumorally, at a therapeutic dose of 0.0001 to 10 mg/kg body weight at average 1-4 times per day, or continuously administered by an insulin pump, and the tumor size was measured four months later to judge the therapeutic effect.