COMBINATION IL2/ANTI-HER2-ANTIBODY THERAPY FOR CANCERS CHARACTERIZED BY OVEREXPRESSION OF THE HER2 RECEPTOR PROTEIN

Methods for treating a subject with a cancer that is characterized by overexpression of HER2 receptor protein using a combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or biologically active variant thereof and at least one anti-HER2 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are provided. These therapeutic agents are administered as two separate pharmaceutical compositions, one containing IL-2 (or variant thereof), which is administered according to a constant IL-2 dosing regimen or a two-level IL-2 dosing regimen, the other containing at least one anti-HER2 antibody (or fragment thereof), which is administered according to a weekly dosing regimen, or is administered once every two, three, or four weeks. Administering of these two agents together potentiates the effectiveness of the anti-HER2 antibody alone, resulting in a positive therapeutic response that is improved with respect to that observed with this therapeutic agent alone.