Emily Ariail, Benjamin Biggs, Rowan O'Flanagan, Jonathan P Schneck
{"title":"IL-7 Immunotherapies: Current Applications and Engineering Opportunities.","authors":"Emily Ariail, Benjamin Biggs, Rowan O'Flanagan, Jonathan P Schneck","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2025.2464055","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>IL-7 is a cytokine that plays a critical role in the development and proliferation of many different immune cells. IL-7 is notably important for the proper development and activity of T cells and B cells. Additionally, the cytokine plays a role in the function of natural killer cells and dendritic cells. Because of this innate biological activity, IL-7 has gained traction as a potential immunotherapy for multiple applications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a comprehensive literature review to explore the physiological role of IL-7 and current applications harnessing the biology of IL-7 as a therapeutic. We also investigated the ways in which IL-7 is being engineered to enhance its therapeutic potential.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Notably, IL-7 has demonstrated efficacy in adoptive cell therapy models and as a vaccine adjuvant. The cytokine has also been used as a treatment for sepsis and other chronic infections. To further enhance its therapeutic efficacy, IL-7 has been engineered by fusing the cytokine to antibody fragments or other bioactive or targeting molecules. These engineered IL-7 therapeutics seek to improve the cytokine's pharmacokinetic and immunological properties and reduce off-target effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IL-7 immunotherapies largely remain at the preclinical stage, but there is growing interest in IL-7's many therapeutic applications and increasing opportunities to further engineer the molecule for future clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Immunological Investigations","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2025.2464055","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"IMMUNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: IL-7 is a cytokine that plays a critical role in the development and proliferation of many different immune cells. IL-7 is notably important for the proper development and activity of T cells and B cells. Additionally, the cytokine plays a role in the function of natural killer cells and dendritic cells. Because of this innate biological activity, IL-7 has gained traction as a potential immunotherapy for multiple applications.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review to explore the physiological role of IL-7 and current applications harnessing the biology of IL-7 as a therapeutic. We also investigated the ways in which IL-7 is being engineered to enhance its therapeutic potential.
Results: Notably, IL-7 has demonstrated efficacy in adoptive cell therapy models and as a vaccine adjuvant. The cytokine has also been used as a treatment for sepsis and other chronic infections. To further enhance its therapeutic efficacy, IL-7 has been engineered by fusing the cytokine to antibody fragments or other bioactive or targeting molecules. These engineered IL-7 therapeutics seek to improve the cytokine's pharmacokinetic and immunological properties and reduce off-target effects.
Conclusion: IL-7 immunotherapies largely remain at the preclinical stage, but there is growing interest in IL-7's many therapeutic applications and increasing opportunities to further engineer the molecule for future clinical translation.
期刊介绍:
Disseminating immunological developments on a worldwide basis, Immunological Investigations encompasses all facets of fundamental and applied immunology, including immunohematology and the study of allergies. This journal provides information presented in the form of original research articles and book reviews, giving a truly in-depth examination of the latest advances in molecular and cellular immunology.