Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte expansion

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte expansion refers to the proliferation and numerical increase of cytotoxic T cells (also called cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CTLs, or CD8+ T cells). This process occurs in response to antigen presentation, primarily during infection, cancer, or vaccination. Expanded CTL populations are critical for eliminating infected, malignant, or otherwise abnormal cells through mechanisms such as perforin/granzyme-mediated apoptosis or Fas ligand engagement. In a therapeutic context, promoting CTL expansion (e.g., in cancer immunotherapy) or monitoring CTL expansion (e.g., in infection or vaccination) may be clinically relevant, but "cytotoxic T-lymphocyte expansion" itself does not identify a molecular target or receptor[1][2][4][5].

Other names

Cytotoxic T-cell expansionCTL expansionCD8+ T-cell expansionkiller T-cell expansion