autologous iNKT cells (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Autologous iNKT cells (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) is an adoptive cell therapy involving the ex vivo expansion and re-infusion of a patient's own invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells. iNKT cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that express a semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) and recognize glycolipid antigens presented by the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. These cells bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems; upon activation, they rapidly produce large quantities of cytokines, such as interferon-gamma, which activate other immune cells including Natural Killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This specific therapy was developed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial for patients with advanced (Stage IV) malignant melanoma, where it was administered alone or in combination with GM-CSF to stimulate a robust anti-tumor immune response.

Other names

in vitro expanded autologous invariant Natural Killer T cellsiNKT cellsautologous invariant Natural Killer T cells