Adoptive T Cell Immunotherapy

Adoptive T cell immunotherapy is defined as the passive transfer of tumor-reactive T cells into the tumor-bearing host that results in the direct or indirect destruction of established tumors. Efforts to improve the response rate of Adoptive cellular therapies (ACT) with genetically engineered lymphocytes have been directed at optimizing the gene transduction as well as identifying higher avidity T cell receptor (TCR). Subsequently, the majority of lymphocytes studies in ACTs have broadly focused on two lymphocyte groups: tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-specific, major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted, cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Lymph nodes are important secondary lymphoid organs where dendritic cells interact with T cells to initiate a primary immune response. The chapter examines alternative vaccine strategies to prime draining lymph nodes as a means of eliciting effector cells for adoptive immunotherapy. The initial success of genetically engineered lymphocytes has stimulated efforts to further identify the optimal TCR for transduction.