The promiscuous IL-2/IL-15 receptor: a target for immunotherapy of HTLV-I-associated disorders

The use of humanized monoclonal antibodies to the Tac peptide of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) may be effective in treating adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). ATL is caused by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). When T cells become infected with HTLV-I, they express IL-2R. However, normal T cells do not express IL-2R. Nine of 18 ATL patients who received humanized monoclonal antibodies against the Tac peptide of IL-2R went into partial or complete remission. In some cases, the antibody contained a radioactive substance to destroy the cancerous T cells.