chitosan + interleukin-12

chitosan + interleukin-12 (CS/IL-12) is an investigational immunotherapy co-formulation designed to deliver localized, sustained cytokine therapy while minimizing systemic toxicity. It consists of recombinant interleukin-12 (IL-12), a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, co-formulated with chitosan, a biocompatible, biodegradable, and mucoadhesive polysaccharide derived from crustacean exoskeletons. Chitosan acts as a biological adhesive and drug delivery vehicle, significantly prolonging the retention of IL-12 within the local tumor microenvironment (from 1–2 days to 5–6 days) following local administration. This sustained local presence stimulates innate and adaptive immune cells, including CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, to mount a robust anti-tumor response and establish durable, tumor-specific systemic immunity. Developed primarily by researcher David Zaharoff at the National Cancer Institute, the University of Arkansas, and North Carolina State University, the formulation is being investigated for the treatment of solid tumors, particularly bladder cancer (via intravesical administration) and breast cancer (via intratumoral injection).

Other names

CS/IL-12chitosan/IL-12chitosan/interleukin-12interleukin-12 + chitosan