title: T cell therapies-are T memory stem cells the answer?
abstract: T memory stem cells (TSCM) are the earliest developmental stage of memory T cells, displaying stem cell-like properties and exhibiting a gene profile between naive and central memory (CM) T cells. Their long-lifespan, robust proliferative potential and self-renewal capacity has generated much research and clinical interest particularly for therapeutic use. Here, we discuss recent findings published in Science Translational Medicine by Biasco and colleagues [2015 Feb 4;7(273):273ra13], which provided evidence for the persistence of TSCM in humans for up to 12 years after infusion of genetically modified lymphocytes, and we examine the implications for the development of novel immunotherapies using TSCM.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Applied Sciences and Program in Metabolism, Exercise and Disease, Health Initiatives Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia ; 2 Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; 3 Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; 4 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacqueline K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Applied Sciences and Program in Metabolism, Exercise and Disease, Health Initiatives Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia ; 2 Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; 3 Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; 4 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gorry
keywords: T cells; T memory stem cells (TSCM); cancer; clinical trials; gene therapy