Therapeutics: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)

In vitro and mouse studies suggest combining chemotherapy with an anti-IL-17A antibody could help treat colorectal cancer. In transformed intestinal organoids, IL-17A increased levels of mitogen-activated proteins (MAPKs) and other markers of tumorigenesis. In a mouse model of colon cancer, an anti-IL-17A mAb decreased tumor burden compared with an isotype control mAb. Also in the model, the generic chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) had no effect on tumor size but increased expression of IL-17A compared with vehicle, whereas 5-FU plus the anti-IL-17A mAb decreased tumor growth compared with the antibody alone. Next steps could include clinical testing of anti-IL-17A mAb plus chemotherapy to treat colorectal cancer...