Receptor for interleukin 13 is abundantly and specifically over-expressed in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Expression of Interleukin-13 Receptor α2 in Glioblastoma Multiforme: Implications for Targeted Therapies

“…Interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 13 (IL13) are two immune regulatory cytokines that can compete for binding to a heterodimeric cell surface receptor consisting of a 140-kDa IL4 receptor h subunit and a 45-kDa IL13 receptor a1 subunit (1). In contrast to most normal body tissues, high-grade gliomas can also bind IL13 in the presence of excess quantities of IL4, an effect referred to as IL4-independent IL13 binding (2)(3)(4)(5). The cell surface expression of a monomeric 42-kDa receptor capable of binding IL13 but not IL4, termed IL13 receptor a2 (IL13Ra2), was used to explain this effect (6).…”

Intratumoral immunotoxin treatment of human malignant brain tumors in immunodeficient animals

“…Data have been published indicating that the EGF receptor expression is low or absent in normal human brain tissue. [17][18][19] Other investigators have found EGF receptor expression in various cell types in the normal human brain, although not in glial cells. 20,21 Therefore, before a phase I clinical trial with 425.3-PE can be initiated, its toxicology profile may need to be determined in species other than rat or mice.…”

Protein- and DNA-Based Active Immunotherapy Targeting Interleukin-13 Receptor Alpha2

“…Our laboratory and subsequent independent investigations have consistently demonstrated that IL13R␣2 is overexpressed in a vast majority (ϳ80%) of HGA cells in vitro and in vivo, [8][9][10][11][12][13] making it an attractive target for antiglioma molecular therapy. The potential of utilizing IL13R␣2 as a cancer target has been demonstrated by using a number of distinct delivery strategies.…”