Immunocytokines in cancer immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges.

ABSTRACT: The clinical use of cytokines is restricted by dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), short half-life, and rapid renal clearance, which collectively hinder administration at therapeutically effective doses. Cytokines fused to antibodies (antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, or immunocytokines) have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations by directing cytokine payloads to the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing antitumor immune responses while reducing off-target effects. Various antibody formats, including intact IgGs and IgG fragments, have been engineered to target tumor-associated cell-surface antigens or extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and fused to a wide range of cytokines. Preclinical studies consistently demonstrate enhanced antitumor efficacy and reduced s

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12817307 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature