COMBINATION IL-2/ANTI-HER2 ANTIBODY THERAPY FOR CANCERS CHARACTERIZED BY OVEREXPRESSION OF THE HER2 RECEPTOR PROTEIN

摘要

Methods for treating a subject with a cancer that is characterised byoverexpression of HER2 receptor protein using a combination of interleukin-2(IL-2) or biologically active variant thereof and at least one anti-HER2antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are provided. These therapeuticagents are administered as two separate pharmaceutical compositions, onecontaining IL-2 (or variant thereof), which is administered according to aconstant IL-2 dosing regimen or a two-level IL-2 dosing regimen, the othercontaining at least one anti-HER2 antibody (or fragment thereof), which isadministered according to a weekly dosing regimen, or is administered onceevery two, three, or four weeks. Administering of these two agents togetherpotentiates the effectiveness of the anti-HER2 antibody alone, resulting in apositive therapeutic response that is improved with respect to that observedwith this therapeutic agent alone.