therapeutic autologous lymphocytes (Duke University)

Therapeutic autologous lymphocytes refer to an adoptive cell therapy component utilized in the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Developed and investigated by Gary Archer, Ph.D., and colleagues at Duke University, this therapy is a key element of the ATTAC (Anti-Tumor Immunotherapy Targeted Against Cytomegalovirus) clinical trial protocols. The process involves collecting a patient's own lymphocytes via leukapheresis prior to standard-of-care treatment. Following the administration of temozolomide, which induces a state of lymphopenia, the autologous lymphocytes are re-infused into the patient. This autologous lymphocyte transfer (ALT) is typically performed in conjunction with a dendritic cell vaccine (such as CMV pp65-LAMP mRNA-loaded DCs) to promote the robust expansion of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells. The therapy targets the CMV pp65 antigen, which is highly expressed in GBM tumor cells but absent in normal brain tissue, thereby facilitating a targeted immune-mediated destruction of the malignancy.

Other names

autologous lymphocyte transferautologous lymphocyte infusionautologous lymphocytes