Table 1.

Main systems for adoptive cell therapy cultivation.

Culturing Method	Maximum Cell Density	Available Volume/ Size	Advantages	Disadvantages
Stirred Flask	1.7 × 106 cells/mL	50 mL–35 L	Availability Scalability High level of aeration	Controversial efficacy data for the cultivation of some cell products Careful selection of the shape of blades is required
G-Rex flask	10–40 × 106 cells/cm2	2 cm2–500 cm2 8 mL–5 L	High density of cultivation Relatively low cost Can be operated using standard laboratory equipment (laminar flow hood, cell culture incubator)	Quality control check is required for each flask Additional steps needed for manual processing of the cell product Higher risk of contamination
Rocking motion bioreactors	10 × 106 cells/mL	250 mL–100 L	Scalable to large volumes Uniform cell mixing High level of media aeration Perfusion capability Sensors for pH, dO, temperature Aseptic media addition and sampling	Low efficacy for some cell types Additional expensive equipment is required
Stirred tank bioreactors	2 × 106 cells/mL	250 mL–1 × 104 L	Great scalability Effective mixing with adjustable intensity High level of media aeration Range of sensors for monitoring cell culture Flexibility of control settings (rpm, shape of paddles, etc.)	Controversial efficacy data for the cultivation of some cell products Additional expensive equipment is required Careful selection of the shape of blades is required
Hollow fiber	1 × 109 cells/mL	area (cm2) to volume (mL) ratio = approx. 100–200	Capability to culture cells at extremely high density Scalability Versatility (fibril configuration, cartridge size, etc.) Continuous addition of fresh medium and waste removal	Additional expensive equipment is required Need to carefully select the membrane/fibril properties (porosity, packing density, diameter, etc.) Complicated collection of the cell product
CliniMACS Prodigy	8 × 106 cells/mL	500 mL	Semi-automated system Multicomponent device (all-in-one) Suitability for clinical application Availability of ready-made kits for various steps of the processes	High cost of the system and consumables Cell expansion is carried out in a centrifuge chamber (CentriCult Unit, a part of CliniMACS Prodigy system)