T lymphocyte engineering ex vivo for cancer and infectious disease.
BACKGROUND
Basic research contributions towards the molecular and cellular understanding of immune mediated control of cancer and infectious diseases have created opportunities to develop new forms of T-cell-based vaccination for cancer and chronic infections like HIV. In the past two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cell therapy clinical trials around the world aimed at enhancing antitumor immunity, restoring immune function to infectious diseases and augmenting vaccine efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a review of new and emerging methods of T lymphocyte engineering, gene transfer to T cells and clinical trials.


METHODS
A review of recent clinical trials, along with a brief historical perspective, with a focus on challenges and recent advances in the field and requirements for successful T-cell therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
Advances in the technological approaches and methods for ex vivo manipulation have led to T lymphocytes endowed with enhanced potency and unique functions, with promise as the new generation of infused therapeutics.
Levine
Bruce L
BL
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, M6.40 Maloney, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA. LevineBL@mail.med.upenn.edu
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014612:Vaccines
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines