Adoptive cell therapy, also known as adoptive T cell therapy, is a type of immunotherapy that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. In this therapy, immune cells known as T cells are extracted from a patient or donor and are grown or engineered in the laboratory to target and kill cancer cells. The activated T cells are then infused back into the patient’s body to seek and destroy cancer cells.

How Does It Work?

In adoptive cell therapy, T cells are extracted from a patient through a process called leukapheresis. These T cells are then processed and activated in the lab. There are two main types of ACT based on how T cells are processed:

Non-gene Modified T cells

In this approach, T cells are extracted from the patient and expanded or grown in number in the laboratory using cytokines and tumor antigens. The multiplied T cells are then infused back to find and eliminate cancerous cells throughout the body.

Gene-Modified T cells

Here, T cells are genetically engineered in the lab to express T cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that are targeted against specific tumor antigens. CAR T cells can recognize antigens on tumor cells independent of MHC molecules. Once infused, these modified T cells can proliferate in vivo and induce potent and durable anti-tumor effects.

After activation and processing, the disease-fighting T cells are returned to the patient through an infusion into the bloodstream. The infused T cells can then spread throughout the body, divide, and hunt down and destroy cancer cells that display the targeted tumor antigen on their surface. The goal is for the modified T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells while sparing normal Adoptive Cell Therapy.

Types of Adoptive Cell Therapy

There are different types of ACT based on the source and specificity of T cells used:

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy

In this therapy, T cells are extracted directly from a tumors biopsy or surgery. The tumor-specific T cells that have naturally infiltrated the tumor microenvironment are selected, multiplied, and infused back.

T Cell Receptor (TCR) Therapy

T cells are genetically engineered in the lab to express a TCR that recognizes a specific tumor antigen. These modified T cells can target cancer cells presenting the antigen.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy

CAR T cells are genetically modified to express artificial receptors called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can recognize tumor antigens like CD19, HER2, and others. Once infused, CAR T cells directly target and kill cancer cells.

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