Use of toll-like receptor agonist for treating cancer

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods and agents used for treating cancer in Toll-Like Receptor 5-expressing tissues by providing a Toll-Like Receptor agonist such as flagellin. The present invention also relates to protecting the liver from a liver toxicity using a Toll-like receptor agonist.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a cancer of the liver, comprising administering an effective amount of a TLR5 agonist to a subject in need thereof, wherein:
 cancer does not express Toll-Like Receptor 5 (TLR5) and   the TLR5 agonist is flagellin or a flagellin derivative.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the cancer is metastatic. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the metastatic cancer is selected from melanoma, colon, breast, prostate, or a hematological malignancy. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the hematological malignancy is lymphoma. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the cancer is a tumor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the TLR5 agonist is administered as a monotherapy. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the subject is not receiving a combination cancer therapy. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the subject is not receiving radiation therapy. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the subject has sufficient innate immunity. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the sufficient innate immunity level is equivalent to the level required for eligibility for a first or subsequent round of chemotherapy. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the subject has a white blood cell count that is within the clinically normal range. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the TLR5 agonist is administered to the subject before, after, or concurrent with removal of a tumor. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the TLR5 agonist is co-administered with a FAS agonist. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the FAS agonist is a FAS agonist antibody. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the TLR5 agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the TLR5 agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the treating comprises reducing a recurrence of the cancer. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the cancer recurrence is selected from a metastasis or a tumor regrowth. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the TLR5 agonist comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.