| abstract |
A method for systemically administrating interleukin-2(IL-2) comprises obtaining a pharmaceutical composition monomeric IL-2 and preparing the composition as an aqueous or a nonaqueous solution or suspension or as a dry powder form and delivering the solution, suspension or dry powder by pulmonary inhalation whereby the IL-2 is systemically administered. IL-2 can also be systemically administered by obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising multimeric IL-2 and at least one surfactant to enhance systemic absorption following pulmonary inhalation and preparing the composition as an aqueous or a nonaqueous solution or suspension or in a dry powder form. Preferably the surfactant is polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80. Also described are methods for enhancing bioavailability of interleukin-2 and a lyophilized or spray dried composition comprising IL-2, glycine as a bulking agent, at least one sugar selected form sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, sorbitol, glucose, lactose and dextrose, at least one amino acid selected from arginine and lysine, and a buffering agent to maintain the composition at a pH of about pH 4.0 to 8.5 when the composition is reconstituted as a liquid. |