Heterodimeric interleukin-15

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-014113",
  "term": "Heterodimeric interleukin-15",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definition": "A fusion protein complex composed of heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15), which consists of a synthetic form of the endogenous cytokine interleukin-15 chain (IL-15) complexed to the soluble IL-15 binding protein IL-15 receptor alpha chain (IL-15Ra) (IL15:sIL-15Ra), with potential immunomodulatory, anti-infective and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, hetIL-15 binds to the IL-2/IL-15 receptor beta-common gamma chain (IL-2Rbeta-gamma) receptor on natural killer (NK) and T-lymphocytes, which activates and increases the levels of NK cells and CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. The T cells enhance the secretion of the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-g), which further potentiates the immune response against tumor cells. Altogether, this enhances tumor cell killing and decreases tumor cell proliferation. By coupling IL-15 to IL15Ra, this agent has an improved pharmacokinetic profile, shows an increased ability to bind IL-2Rbeta-gamma, and shows increased immunostimulatory activity as compared to IL-15 alone.",
  "abbreviation": "hetIL-15",
  "synonyms": [
    "IL-15/sIL-15Ra"
  ],
  "references": [
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/heterodimeric-interleukin-15/"
}