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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus

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T Cells Targeting TdT Selectively Kill Leukemic Lymphoblasts

Cancer Discovery

|December 18, 2021

Summary

Targeting terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) with T cells effectively eliminates cancer cells in T- and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This approach spares healthy lymphocytes, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Oncology
Hematology

Background:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a significant hematologic malignancy.
T-cell and B-cell lineages are commonly affected in ALL.
Targeting specific cellular markers is a strategy for selective cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the efficacy of T cells engineered to target terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT).
To determine if TdT-targeted T cells can selectively eliminate malignant cells in T- and B-ALL.
To assess the safety of this approach by evaluating its impact on normal lymphocytes.

Main Methods:

Development of T cells engineered to recognize and target TdT.
In vitro and/or in vivo models of T-cell ALL and B-cell ALL.

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Assessment of cancer cell killing and normal lymphocyte viability.

Main Results:

T cells targeting TdT demonstrated selective killing of malignant cells in both T- and B-ALL models.
Normal lymphocytes remained largely unaffected, indicating specificity.
This suggests a potential for targeted therapy with minimal off-tumor toxicity.

Conclusions:

TdT-targeted T cells represent a promising therapeutic strategy for T- and B-ALL.
Selective elimination of malignant cells while sparing normal lymphocytes is achievable.
Further research into TdT-targeted immunotherapy is warranted.