autologous T-antigen-presenting cells

Autologous T-antigen-presenting cells (T-APC) is an experimental cell-based immunotherapy developed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. This approach involves the use of a patient's own T cells that have been modified to function as antigen-presenting cells. In clinical protocols, these T-APCs are typically administered as a vaccine following the adoptive transfer of therapeutic autologous CD8+ antigen-specific T-cell clones (CTLs). The T-APCs are designed to present melanoma-associated antigens directly to the transferred CTLs *in vivo*, providing the necessary costimulatory signals to promote the expansion, survival, and long-term persistence of the anti-tumor T cells. This regimen is often combined with lymphodepleting chemotherapy (such as cyclophosphamide) and systemic cytokine support (such as aldesleukin) to optimize the immune environment for tumor eradication.

Other names

autologous T-antigen-presenting cells vaccineT-APC vaccineautologous T-APC