Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes for immunotherapy of EBV-associated malignancies

Methods Mol Biol. 2010:651:49-59. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-786-0_3.

Abstract

Current approaches for the treatment of tumours typically employ broad acting radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic approaches, which have led to high success rates but can be associated with unwanted side-effects. Cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-based immunotherapy offers an alternative approach that is designed to specifically target protein antigens expressed in malignant cells and is thus likely to limit any adverse side-effects. Defining tumour-specific antigens is therefore critical for the successful application of CTL-based therapy. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies offer an attractive target for CTL-based immunotherapy due to presence of virally encoded antigens in the malignant cells. Recent success in treating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) using cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-based immunotherapy has led to interest in the development of CTL-based immunotherapy to treat other EBV-associated malignancies in which antigen expression patterns are well defined but limited to a restricted number of proteins.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Separation
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Lymphoma / virology*
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Staining and Labeling
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Interferon-gamma