Figure 4.

Gene modified T lymphocyte therapy. Lymphocytes can be transduced with genes that encode chimeric receptors consisting of extracellular antitumour antibody fragments linked to intracellular T cell receptors¹¹ or costimulatory signalling chains.¹² Contact with the tumour leads to proliferation and activation of the antigen specific T cells. Lymphocyte survival and antitumour efficacy may also be improved by the use of genes encoding various cytokines (MHC=major histocompatibility complex; TNF=tumour necrosis factor; IL-2=interleukin 2; GM-CSF=granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor)