Interleukin-12 Gene

**Semantic type:** Gene or Genome|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The DNA sequence that encodes the protein cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12). When introduced as the complementary DNA (cDNA) form into tumor cells by, for example, a genetically engineered adenovirus vector, the transfected IL-12 cDNA expresses IL-12 which activates antitumoral natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T-cells and stimulates the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), potentially inhibiting tumor cell metastasis. This gene therapy may also result in IL-12-mediated inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and enhancement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - IL-12 gene - Plasmid DNA Encoding Human Interleukin-12 - Plasmid IL-12 - pIL-12