Modulation of cancer immunity with type 2 innate lymphoid cells, interleukin 33, and/or interferon induced protein 44

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of modulating of cancer immunity using type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), interleukin 33 (IL-33), IFI44 or combination thereof. Also provided are methods of preventing tumor metastasis and/or cancer progression by treatment with therapies comprising type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), interleukin 33 (IL-33), IFI44 or combination thereof. Also provided are diagnostic methods for assessing cancer prognosis.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for treating cancer and/or inhibiting cancer progression comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of IFI44. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, cervical cancer or prostate cancer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the cancer is metastatic. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the IFI44 is provided as a polypeptide or active fragment thereof 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the IFI44 is provided as a polynucleotide that produces a therapeutically effective amount of IFI44 in vivo. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein inhibiting cancer progression comprises inhibiting tumor growth, stimulation of tumor regression, enhancement of immune recognition of tumor cells, or stimulation of anti-tumor immunity. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the IFI44 is administered in combination with other therapy. 
     
     
         30 . The method of claim  729 , wherein the other therapy is interleukin-33 cytokine therapy. 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said other therapy is TNF alpha; interleukin-21; interleukin-13; a combination of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13; a combination of PD-1, CTLA-4, PDL-1; interferon, including but not limited to interferon alpha, beta or gamma; GM-CSF; G-CSF; HDACi; HATs; methylation inhibitors; T cells including but not limited to CAR T Cells, autologous T Cells, autologous T cells transduced with specific TCRs, autologous B Cells, dendritic cells subsets, antigens of interest including but not limited to viral, bacterial and tumor antigens; antibodies including but not limited to antibodies targeting tumor antigens such herceptin; other biological therapies; hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation; natural killer cells; Toll receptor agonists; chemokines; anti-angiogenic molecules; other cytokines used in immune therapy including but not limited to IL-2; chemotherapies; viral vectors; oncolytic viruses; adjuvants; cytotoxic agents; and therapies which deplete regulatory T cells. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said cancer is a solid tumor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said cancer is a sarcoma, carcinoma or lymphomas. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said cancer is a breast cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, cervical cancer or prostate cancer. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said cancer is a leukemia or other hematological cancer.