Pegylated IL‐10 induces cancer immunity

Recently, the development of several strategies based on immunotherapy has raised hopes for a more promising way to treat cancer patients. Here, we describe how interleukin (IL)‐10, a seemingly unlikely candidate, stimulates the immune system in a particularly efficacious way. IL‐10, an omnipotent anti‐inflammatory cytokine, delivers an equally potent immune stimulation in the context of CD8 + T cells and tumor immunity. By activation of tumor‐resident, tumor‐specific CD8 + T cells, pegylated IL‐10 can induce rejection of large and metastasizing tumors in mice. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of action of IL‐10, the reasons why the mechanisms may be crucial for the treatment of cancer patients, and the rationale for applying pegylated IL‐10 in the clinic.