Cell transfer-based immunotherapies in cancer: A review

IUBMB Life. 2020 Apr;72(4):790-800. doi: 10.1002/iub.2180. Epub 2019 Oct 21.

Abstract

In cell transfer therapy (CTT), immune cells such as innate immune-derived natural killer cells and dendritic cells as well as acquired immune-related T lymphocytes such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and cytokine-activated or genetically modified peripheral blood T cells are used in the management of cancer. These therapies are increasingly becoming the most used treatment modality in cancer after tumor resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In adoptive cell transfer, the lymphocytes isolated from either a donor or the patient are modified ex vivo and reinfused to target malignant cells. Transferring in vitro-manipulated immune cells produces a continuous antitumor immune response. In this review, we evaluate the recent advances in CTT for the management of various malignancies.

Keywords: adoptive cell transfer; dendritic cells; immunotherapy; malignancy; natural killer cells; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Cancer Vaccines / pharmacology*
  • Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells / transplantation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / transplantation
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / transplantation
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines