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Updated: May 26, 2026

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
Published on: March 7, 2025
A dual role for genetically modified lymphocytes in cancer immunotherapy
Vincenzo Russo1, Attilio Bondanza, Fabio Ciceri
1Cancer Gene Therapy Unit, Scientific Institute S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy. v.russo@hsr.it
Abstract:
T cells as the ultimate effectors of adaptive immune responses are currently used to treat patients affected by infectious diseases and certain tumors. Recently, T cells have been manipulated ex vivo with viral vectors coding for chimeric antigen receptors, exogenous T cell receptors, or 'suicide' genes to potentiate their efficacy and minimize possible side effects. However, the introduction of exogenous genes into T lymphocytes, particularly bacterial or viral transgene products, has occasionally produced immune-mediated elimination of transduced lymphocytes. This immune effect has recently been exploited in a trial of active immunotherapy in melanoma patients. In this opinion article, we discuss the therapeutic possibilities presented by the dual aspects of genetically modified lymphocytes used to treat cancer patients.
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