interleukin-2 + trastuzumab

This is a combination therapy consisting of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine-based immunotherapy, and trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Interleukin-2 acts as an immune system modulator by stimulating the proliferation and activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Trastuzumab binds to HER2 on cancer cells, inhibiting cell proliferation and mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The rationale for combining these agents is that IL-2 may enhance NK cell-mediated ADCC against HER2-positive tumor cells targeted by trastuzumab. This combination has been investigated in clinical trials for patients with metastatic breast cancer who are refractory to prior trastuzumab therapy. However, studies have shown that while some immune activation occurs (e.g., increased interferon-gamma transcripts), there was no significant expansion of NK cells or enhancement of ADCC in this setting[1][2].

Other names

interleukin-2 and trastuzumabinterleukin2 and trastuzumabinterleukin 2 and trastuzumabIL-2 + trastuzumab