Re-targeting T-cells against cancer by gene-transfer of tumor-reactive receptors.
BACKGROUND
Adoptive transfer of T-lymphocytes is a promising treatment for a variety of malignancies, but is often not feasible due to difficulties in generating T-cells reactive with the targeted antigen from patients. To facilitate rapid generation of cells for therapy, T-cells can be programmed with genes encoding for an antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric receptors.


OBJECTIVE
To discuss the molecular design and selected pitfalls of TCR gene modified T-cells and T-cells expressing chimeric receptors, so called T-bodies.


METHODS
A selected review of the recent literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical trials report so far only limited efficacy of adoptively transferred genetically modified T-cells. However, the recent progress in engineering tumor-reactive T cells is providing a promising basis to further explore this treatment modality.
Department of Hematology and VanCreveld Clinic, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Victoria
V
Marcu-Malina
Suzanne
S
van Dorp
Jürgen
J
Kuball
D019264:Adoptive Transfer / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell