Cell transfer therapy is a relatively new form of cell therapy aimed at eliminating cancer cells by the administration of autologous lymphocytes to cancer patients. This follows recent knowledge that cancer cells may express certain unique tumor antigens.
Contents
Technique
The first step in cell transfer involves the lymphodepletion of patients prior to cell transfer. The next step is the identification of lymphocytes in a patient that may recognize tumor antigens. These lymphocytes are isolated and grown in vitro in large numbers and then injected back into the patient.
Applications
Although still in its experimental stage, this groundbreaking technology has proved to be the latest ammunition in the battle against cancer as it works through immunomodulation and tumor cells are more susceptible to immune pathways of tumor destruction.