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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Mol Med. 2016 Nov 4;22(12):1000–1011. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.10.002

Figure 2. Genetically-Engineered T cell Immunotherapeutic Approaches.

Figure 2

The schematic depicts the multiuse process of generating genetically engineered human T cells targeted against specific tumor antigens.

(Step 1) Autologous T cells can be isolated from a patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells or an excised tumor.

(Step 2) T cell pools or specific subsets can be stimulated with (1) activating CD3 antibody (OKT3), (2) anti-CD3/CD28–coated beads, or (3) allogeneic feeder cell lines.

(Step 3) Specific T cell subsets can be sorted or enriched according to their differentiation status to exploit proliferative and effector functions.

(Step 4) Engineered T cells can be generated by cloning either T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and transducing a patient’s T cells with retro- or lenti-viruses, thus redirecting recognition toward tumor-associated antigens.

(Step 5) Engineered T cells can then be expanded in vitro in the presence of conditioning cytokines (e.g., IL-2 or IL-15) to increase the frequency of tumor-specific T cells generated.

(Step 6) Engineered T cells specific for an antigen (target) of interest are selected.

(Step 7) Engineered T cells can then be reinfused into the patient (usually post-lymphodepletion).