Denileukin diftitox
Encyclopedia
Denileukin diftitox is an antineoplastic agent, an engineered protein combining Interleukin-2 and Diphtheria toxin
. This can bind to Interleukin-2 receptors
and introduce the diphtheria toxin into cells that express those receptors, killing the cells. In some Leukemia
s and Lymphoma
s malignant cells express these receptors, so denileukin diftitox can target these.
In 1999 Ontak was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
A recent study at the University of Louisville
found the drug caused many stage IV cutaneous T-cell lympomas to regress or stabilize extending patient life expectancy from about eight months to more than a year; a clinically significant increase especially given the guarded prognosis of patients with advanced disseminated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and the generally poor response to other available treatments.
There is some evidence tying it to vision loss.
Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin secreted by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the pathogen bacterium that causes diphtheria. Unusually, the toxin gene is encoded by a bacteriophage...
. This can bind to Interleukin-2 receptors
IL2 receptor
The interleukin-2 receptor is a heterotrimeric protein expressed on the surface of certain immune cells, such as lymphocytes, that binds and responds to a cytokine called IL-2. Three protein chains are non-covalently associated to form the IL-2R...
and introduce the diphtheria toxin into cells that express those receptors, killing the cells. In some Leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
s and Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
s malignant cells express these receptors, so denileukin diftitox can target these.
In 1999 Ontak was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
A recent study at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
found the drug caused many stage IV cutaneous T-cell lympomas to regress or stabilize extending patient life expectancy from about eight months to more than a year; a clinically significant increase especially given the guarded prognosis of patients with advanced disseminated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and the generally poor response to other available treatments.
There is some evidence tying it to vision loss.