autologous expanded T cells

Autologous expanded T cells are a form of adoptive cell therapy where a patient's own T lymphocytes are harvested, typically from peripheral blood or bone marrow, and expanded ex vivo using a rapid expansion protocol (REP). This process often involves stimulation with cytokines and anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies to significantly increase the cell population. In the context of oncology, these cells are often screened for reactivity against tumor-specific neoantigens or leukemia-associated antigens. Once expanded, the cells are re-infused into the patient to mount an immune response against malignant cells. Research at institutions like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has focused on identifying neoantigen-specific clones within these populations for treating pediatric leukemias, such as those with KMT2A rearrangements, by leveraging markers like PD1 and CD39 for enrichment.

Other names

autologous T-cell therapyexpanded autologous T lymphocytesautologous T cells