Evaluation of agents that affect anti-tumor function of CD8 + T cells when employed at the time of T-cell activation

T cell activation and its maintenance have been a focus of research within groups that study immunotherapy approaches for cancer treatment. Therefore, agents that regulate T cell activity are often tested in vitro and in vivo. In this chapter, we describe a technique to directly answer the question of whether an external agent employed at the time of T cell activation can impact the anti-tumor efficacy of activated T cells. We have used this technique to understand the timing of administering immune checkpoint inhibitors, to understand the effects of activation agents for professional antigen presenting cells, and similarly to understand the effects of vaccine adjuvants.