Next generation adoptive immunotherapy--human T cells as carriers of therapeutic nanoparticles

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2007 Dec;7(12):4575-80.

Abstract

An important step in adoptive immunotherapy in general and specifically with respect to cancer treatment is the initiation of an inflammatory T cell response at the tumor site. Here we suggest a new concept for a controlled inflammatory response in which the intrinsic cytotoxic properties of T cells are upgraded with the properties of nanoparticles transfected into the T cells during the ex vivo expansion process. We report in vitro upgrading of human T cells using PEGylated boron carbide nanoparticles functionalised with a translocation peptide aimed at Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). A key finding is that the metabolism of such upgraded human T cells were not affected by a payload of 0.13 pg boron per cell and that the nanoparticles were retained in the cell population after several cell divisions. This is vital for transporting nanoparticles by T cells to the tumor site.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers