EGF-IL-18 fusion protein as a potential anti-tumor reagent by induction of immune response and apoptosis in cancer cells.

We report here the generation and characterization of EGF-IL-18 fusion protein as an anti-tumor reagent. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) fusion protein was shown to induce interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) expression and secretion in KG-1 cells, and to promote PBMNC proliferation. It also stimulated activation of CD4+ T cells, and increased other immune responses. Moreover, EGF-IL-18 could induce significant tumor regression in SMMC-7721-xenografted Balb/c nude mice when administered together with peritumoral injection of X-ray-irradiated NK-92 cells, and this regression is associated with arresting of the tumor cells in G1 phase and induction of apoptosis.