Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e.g., masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e.g., masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to masked IL-15 cytokines, comprising an IL-15 cytokine or functional fragment thereof, a masking moiety and a proteolytically cleavable linker. The masking moiety masks the IL-15 cytokine or functional fragment thereof thereby reducing or preventing binding of the IL-cytokine or functional fragment thereof to its cognate receptor, but upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at a target site, the IL-15 cytokine or functional fragment thereof becomes activated, which renders it capable or more capable of binding to its cognate receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to masked IL-12 cytokines, comprising an IL-12 cytokine or functional fragment thereof, a masking moiety and a proteolytically cleavable linker. The masking moiety masks the IL-12 cytokine or functional fragment thereof thereby reducing or preventing binding of the IL-cytokine or functional fragment thereof to its cognate receptor, but upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at a target site, the IL-12 cytokine or functional fragment thereof becomes activated, which renders it capable or more capable of binding to its cognate receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to masked IL-2 cytokines, comprising an IL-2 cytokine or functional fragment thereof, a masking moiety and a proteolytically cleavable linker. The masking moiety masks the IL-2 cytokine or functional fragment thereof thereby reducing or preventing binding of the IL-cytokine or functional fragment thereof to its cognate receptor, but upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at a target site, the IL-2 cytokine or functional fragment thereof becomes activated, which renders it capable or more capable of binding to its cognate receptor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses proteolytically cleavable peptide (CP) substrates, polypeptides, polypeptide constructs and prodrug constructs comprising the proteolytically cleavable peptides (e.g., cytokine prodrugs), and methods of use of the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tumor-specific cleavable linkers and their use in drugs and prodrugs for delivering therapeutics to a tumor cell environment. The present disclosure also provides cleavage products of said drugs and prodrugs, and methods related to the use of the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e.g., masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e.g., masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e g masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.

Abstract: Provided herein are cytokines or functional fragments thereof that, in some embodiments, are engineered to be masked by a masking moiety at one or more receptor binding site(s) of the cytokine or functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the cytokines are engineered to be activatable by a protease at a target site, such as in a tumor microenvironment, by including a proteolytically cleavable linker. In some embodiments, the proteolytically cleavable linker links the cytokine to the masking moiety, links the cytokine to a half-life extension domain, and/or links the masking moiety to a half-life extension domain. The masking moiety blocks, occludes, inhibits (e.g., decreases) or otherwise prevents (e g masks) the activity or binding of the cytokine to its cognate receptor or protein. Upon proteolytic cleavage of the cleavable linker at the target site, the cytokine becomes activated, which renders it capable of binding to its cognate receptor or protein with increased affinity.