Development of a Targeted IL-12 Immunotherapy Platform for B-cell Lymphomas

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment that utilizes the potential of the immune system to precisely identify and eradicate cancerous cells. Despite significant progress in immunotherapy, innovative approaches are required to enhance the effectiveness and safety of these treatments. Interleukin-12 (IL-12), widely recognized for its essential function in immune responses, has been explored as a potential candidate for treating cancer. However, early attempts involving the systemic administration of IL-12 were ineffective, with significant adverse effects, thus underscoring the need for innovation. To address these challenges, we developed a therapeutic molecule that utilizes a single-chain IL-12 mutant (IL-12mut) linked to a tumor-targeting arm. Here, we describe the development of a highly effective IL-12-based TMEkine™ platform by employing a B-cell lymphoma model (termed CD20–IL-12mut). CD20–IL-12mut combined the attenuated activities of IL-12 with targeted delivery to the tumor, thereby maximizing therapeutic potential while minimizing off-target effects. Our results revealed that CD20–IL-12mut exhibited potent anticancer activity by inducing complete regression and generating immunological memory for tumor antigens. Collectively, our data provide a basis for additional research on CD20–IL-12mut as a potential treatment choice for patients with B-cell lymphomas such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.