Use of high throughput qPCR screening to rapidly clone low frequency tumour specific T-cells from peripheral blood for adoptive immunotherapy
2008

Rapid Cloning of Tumor Reactive T Cells for Cancer Therapy

Sample size: 17 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Kammula Udai S, Serrano Oscar K

Primary Institution: Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

Hypothesis

An iterative strategy of isolation, transfer, and clinical evaluation of autologous tumor reactive lymphocyte clones will help define the antigenic targets and lymphocyte characteristics associated with therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

The study presents a novel high efficiency strategy to clone tumor reactive T cells from peripheral blood for use in adoptive immunotherapy.

Supporting Evidence

  • The qPCR assay could detect the reactivity of 1 antigen specific T cell in 100,000 background cells.
  • 16 of 17 patients showed T cell reactivity against at least one melanoma epitope.
  • The isolated T cell clones demonstrated significant proliferative capacity for clinical trials.

Takeaway

Scientists found a new way to quickly grow special immune cells from blood that can help fight cancer.

Methodology

The study used high throughput quantitative RT-PCR to detect and clone low frequency tumor reactive T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of melanoma patients.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on melanoma patients and may not be generalizable to other cancers.

Participant Demographics

HLA-A2+ metastatic melanoma patients.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5876-6-60

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