Released on: October 23, 2007, 10:33 pm

Press Release Author: GTCbio

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Press Release Summary: Thomas Waldmann, Chief at NCI to give keynote presentation at
2nd Immunodiagnostics & Immunomonitoring: From Research to Clinic conference on Dec.
6-7, 2007.

Press Release Body: MONROVIA, CA - Dr. Thomas A. Waldmann, Chief of the Metabolism
Branch and Head of Cytokine Immunology and Immunotherapy at the National Cancer
Institute will give the Keynote presentation at GTCbio's 2nd Immunodiagnostics &
Immunomonitoring: From Research to Clinic conference on December 6-7, 2007 in
Washington D.C.

Dr. Waldmann will present on the contrasting roles of IL-2 and IL-15 in the life and
death of lymphocytes with implications for immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune
diseases as well as for vaccine design.

Monoclonal antibodies have come of age with 19 approved by the FDA. IL-2R alpha
(CD25) targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies has provided effective treatment
for leukemia, for autoimmune disorders, and for the prevention of allograft
rejection.

The effectiveness of monoclonal antibody therapy has been augmented by arming the
antibody with radionuclides and by using them in concert with chemotherapeutic
agents. IL-2 and IL-15 have shared contrasting roles in the life and death of
lymphocytes. IL-2 is involved in the checkpoint control of T-cells that is required
for self-tolerance and the prevention of autoimmunity. In contrast, IL-15 favors the
survival of NK and CD8 memory T-cells and is thus dedicated to the persistence of an
immune response. IL-15 and IL-15R alpha are co-expressed on antigen-presenting
cells. IL-15R alpha recycles and presents IL-15 in trans as part of an immunological
synapse with neighboring NK and memory phenotype CD8 T-cells. The demonstration that
IL-15 is a critical factor for the proliferation, activation and function of NK and
memory CD8 T-cells supports its use in the prevention and treatment of cancer and
HIV. The optimal use of IL-15 may require the co-administration of agents such as
interferon or agonist anti-CD40 to induce the expression of IL-15R alpha. The
incorporation of IL-15 in molecular vaccines for cancer and AIDS provides a robust,
sustained high-avidity cytotoxic T-cell immune response. IL-15 is an inflammatory
cytokine that induces the expression of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta. It inhibits
self-tolerance mediated by AICD and facilitates memory CD8 T-cell survival. When
IL-15 is indiscriminately expressed it leads to inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
Humanized Mik-Beta-1 (anti-CD122, anti-IL-2/IL-15R beta) has been developed and
introduced into the Clinic to provide therapy for select leukemias and autoimmune
diseases that are associated with disordered IL-15 action. Dr. Waldmann's new
insights concerning the IL-2 and IL-15 cytokine systems are providing a novel
perspective for the treatment of neoplasia and autoimmune diseases.

The 2nd Immunodiagnostics & Immunomonitoring: From Research to Clinic conference
features presentations on new targets & markers for immunodiagnostics, novel
approaches to immunodiagnostics & immunomonitoring, immunomonitoring in clinical
trials, and more. For more information, visit www.gtcbio.com.


ABOUT GTCbio

GTCbio organizes conferences specifically for the biomedical and biopharmaceutical
industries. Our goal is to facilitate the exchange of biopharmaceutical and
biomedical intelligence between industry leaders, academic and government
organizations, and the financial community.

GTCbio is a subsidiary of Global Technology Community, LLC, a privately held company
founded in 2002.

Contact: GTCBIO (626) 256-6405, (626) 256-6460 fax, raniah@gtcbio.com

Web Site: http://www.gtcbio.com

Contact Details: GTCbio
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626)256-6405