activated T cells (Roger Williams Medical Center)

Activated T cells (ATC) are an autologous cell therapy developed by Roger Williams Medical Center for the treatment of high-risk breast cancer. The therapy involves the ex vivo activation and expansion of a patient's own T lymphocytes, which are then re-infused to induce an anti-tumor immune response. In clinical studies, ATC was administered as part of a sequential treatment protocol following TAC chemotherapy (paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide). The protocol also utilized aldesleukin (IL-2) and sargramostim (GM-CSF) to support the persistence and function of the infused T cells. This approach was specifically investigated for patients with stage II or III breast cancer, including those with and without HER2/neu overexpression, to evaluate if the combination of chemotherapy and biological therapy could improve outcomes by killing more tumor cells.

Other names

therapeutic autologous lymphocytesautologous activated T cellsactivated T cells