WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are an adoptive T-cell immunotherapy developed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for the treatment of high-risk or relapsed hematologic malignancies following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The therapy consists of HLA-A*0201-restricted, donor-derived CD8+ T-cell clones that are expanded ex vivo to selectively target Wilms' Tumor Antigen 1 (WT1). WT1 is a zinc finger transcription factor that is highly overexpressed in leukemic cells compared to normal hematopoietic stem cells, making it a viable target for graft-versus-leukemia effects without inducing graft-versus-host disease. In clinical trials, these CTLs are often administered alongside low-dose aldesleukin (IL-2) to enhance their in vivo persistence and antileukemic activity.

Other names

CD8+ WT1-specific CTL clonesWT1-specific CTLsWT-1-specific CTLsWT 1-specific CTLstherapeutic allogeneic lymphocytes