Use of truncated cysteine il28 and il29 mutants to treat cancers and autoimmune disorders

Abstract

Methods for treating patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders using IL-28 and IL-29 molecules. The IL-28 and IL-29 molecules include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-28 or IL-29 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-28 and IL-29 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known cancer and/or autoimmune therapeutics.

1 . A method of delaying a relapse of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:174, wherein the encoded polypeptide comprises amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:175. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to a polyalkyl oxide moiety. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polyalkyl oxide moiety is polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde has a molecular weight of about 20 Kd or 30 Kd. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde is linear or branched. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde is conjugated to the N-terminus of the polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . A method of delaying a relapse of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation comprising a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:174 and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, wherein the encoded polypeptide comprises amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:175. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to a polyalkyl oxide moiety. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the polyalkyl oxide moiety is polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde has a molecular weight of about 20 Kd or 30 Kd. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde is linear or branched. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the monomethoxy-PEG propionaldehyde is conjugated to the N-terminus of the polypeptide.