Adoptive T cell therapy for cancer in the clinic
Carl H. June
Carl H. June
Published June 1, 2007
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2007;117(6):1466-1476. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI32446.
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Science in Medicine

Adoptive T cell therapy for cancer in the clinic

Abstract

The transfusion of lymphocytes, referred to as adoptive T cell therapy, is being tested for the treatment of cancer and chronic infections. Adoptive T cell therapy has the potential to enhance antitumor immunity, augment vaccine efficacy, and limit graft-versus-host disease. This form of personalized medicine is now in various early- and late-stage clinical trials. These trials are currently testing strategies to infuse tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, CTLs, Th cells, and Tregs. Improved molecular biology techniques have also increased enthusiasm and feasibility for testing genetically engineered T cells. The current status of the field and prospects for clinical translation are reviewed herein.

Authors

Carl H. June

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Figure 1

Schemes for adoptive transfer of autologous, vaccine-primed, in vitro–expanded T cells.

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Schemes for adoptive transfer of autologous, vaccine-primed, in vitro–ex...
Patients are primed with tumor vaccine followed by lymphocyte harvest. Autologous T cells are harvested from peripheral blood (i) or draining lymph nodes (ii), undergo polyclonal in vitro activation and expansion, and are reinfused after lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Antigen-specific immune function is measured after the administration of booster vaccines. (iii) TILs can be isolated from resected surgical specimens and expanded in vitro for adoptive transfer after lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Most adoptive transfer therapy approaches using TILs have involved the use of IL-2 infusion following T cell transfer in order to select tumor-specific T cells.