The unique IL-2 and IL-2Rα system has been a valuable target for immunotherapy because IL-2Rα is not expressed by any resting cells with the exception of T regulatory cells. Yet, it is expressed by many malignant cells of various T- and B-cell leukemias, T cells that participate in organ allograft rejection, and finally by T cells involved in autoimmune ease. Thus, antibodies directed against IL-2Rα (several such antibodies have been aproved by FDA for use in humans) specifically destroy those cells that are IL-2 dependent. One of these antibodies (daclizumab by Hoffmann-La Roche) is in phase II trials in patients with uveitis, in certain multiple sclerosis patient, and in asthma patients. Finally, it was shown to be effective in a subset of patients with adult T-cell leukemia due to human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1.
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