ALT-803, an interleukin-15-based superagonist, induces memory CD8+ T cells to proliferate, upregulate receptors involved in innate immunity, secrete interferon γ and acquire the ability to kill malignant cells in the absence of antigenic stimulation. Thus, ALT-803 can promote the expansion and activation of memory CD8+ T cells while converting them into innate immune effector cells that exhibit robust antineoplastic activity.
Keywords: NKG2D; adaptive immunity; immunotherapy; innate immunity; interferon γ; interleukin-15; memory CD8+ T cells; myeloma; tumor.