Mutagenized IL 13-based chimeric molecules

摘要

This invention provides mutagenized interleukin 13 molecules that show improved specificity for the restricted (IL4 independent) IL13 receptor and reduced cross-reactivity with the IL4/IL4 shared receptor. The mutagenized IL13 molecules include one or more mutations in a domain that interacts with the 140 kDa hIL4Rbeta or the hIL13Ralpha1 subunit. These mutagenized IL13 molecules provide effective targeting moieties in chimeric molecules (e.g. fusion proteins) that specifically deliver effector molecules (e.g. cytotoxins) to cells overexpressing IL13 receptors (e.g. cancer cells such as gliomas).