Aminobisphosphonate-activated gammadelta T cells in immunotherapy of cancer: doubts no more.
BACKGROUND
Activated V gamma 9 V delta 2 T cells are able to kill most tumour cells because of recognition by T cell receptor and natural killer receptors.


OBJECTIVE
We discuss the possibility that the intentional activation of gammadelta T cells in vivo by aminobisphosphonates may represent a promising target for the design of novel and highly innovative immunotherapy in cancer patients.


METHODS
The antitumoral effects of gammadelta T cells both in vitro and in vivo have been demonstrated suggesting a new therapeutic approach for translation into the clinical setting.


CONCLUSIONS
V gamma 9 V delta 2 T lymphocytes represent a particularly interesting target for immunotherapeutic protocols based on N-aminobisphosphonate administration and several Phase I-II trials are ongoing investigating the activity of zoledronic acid plus IL-2 in solid tumours.
Caccamo
Nadia
N
Università di Palermo, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, Corso Tukory, 211 90134 Palermo, Italy. caccamo@unipa.it
Meraviglia
Serena
S
Scarpa
Francesco
F
La Mendola
Carmela
C
Santini
Daniele
D
Bonanno
Cesira T
CT
Misiano
Gabriella
G
Dieli
Francesco
F
Salerno
Alfredo
A
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta