EGFR (tumor-anchoring target) engaging IL-2/IL-10 receptor

Class

EGFR-targeted dual-cytokine immunocytokine (IL-2 x IL-10 fusion protein)

Pathway

An anti-EGFR scFv anchors a fused wild-type IL-2/high-affinity EBV IL-10 payload to EGFR-expressing tumor cells; IL-2 drives cytotoxic T-cell activation/proliferation while the IL-10 component limits cytokine release syndrome and regulatory T-cell expansion

Notes

original target text: EGFR (tumor-anchoring target) engaging IL-2/IL-10 receptor signaling

EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is highly expressed on the surface of many epithelial tumors. In this mechanism, EGFR is not being blocked or inhibited; instead it serves as an anchor that concentrates two potent immune-stimulating cytokines at the tumor site. A fusion protein pairs an antibody fragment (scFv) that binds EGFR with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and a variant of interleukin-10 (IL-10). IL-2 is a well-established activator of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, driving their proliferation and tumor-killing activity, but given on its own it causes serious systemic toxicity because IL-2 receptors exist on many circulating immune cells. IL-10 is generally considered an anti-inflammatory cytokine, but certain forms can also enhance the killing capacity of cytotoxic T cells while limiting excessive inflammatory cytokine release and restraining regulatory T cells, a population that otherwise suppresses antitumor immunity. By tethering both cytokines to an EGFR-targeting arm, the intent is to deliver immune activation preferentially within the tumor microenvironment, reducing the systemic cytokine exposure that limits standalone cytokine therapies. This dual-cytokine, tumor-anchored design is broadly relevant to solid tumors expressing EGFR, where the goal is to widen the therapeutic window of cytokine-based immunotherapy.