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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
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Freezing, Thawing, and Packaging Cells for Transport
Published on: July 2, 2008
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"Live" cell shipment-a forward-looking transport option for cryo-sensitive cell-based therapies
Lutz Roßbach1, Thea Eichenberg1, Nicole Pietzsch1
1Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|December 25, 2025
Summary
Live shipment of natural killer (NK) cells using a portable incubator preserves cell function and viability, delivering more therapeutic cells than cryopreservation. This method ensures high-quality cell therapies for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cellular therapy
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cell therapies show promise for various diseases, but cell product quality is critical for patient outcomes.
- Natural killer (NK) cells are potent anti-cancer agents, but cryopreservation limits their clinical use due to reduced survival and function.
- Current allogeneic NK cell therapies face limitations from freezing and thawing processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of live cell shipment versus cryopreservation for maintaining NK cell quality and function.
- To compare the number of functional NK cells delivered after transport using a portable incubator versus traditional cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- NK cells were expanded under clinical conditions and then shipped using either the Cellbox™ Shipper Flight (live transport at 37°C and 5% CO2) or cryopreservation.
- Cell counts, viability, phenotype, and cytotoxic activity were assessed immediately after thawing/transport and after 3 days of recovery.
- Three independent batches of NK cells were tested to ensure reproducibility.
Main Results:
- Cryopreservation resulted in significant cell loss and reduced cytotoxic activity, with nearly half of thawed cells being non-functional after recovery.
- Live shipment in the Cellbox™ maintained NK cell phenotype and cytotoxic function, with cell counts recovering and proliferation observed.
- Live shipment delivered 2.5 times more functional NK cells post-recovery compared to cryopreservation.
Conclusions:
- Live shipment of NK cells using portable incubators like Cellbox™ is a feasible and superior method for preserving cell function and therapeutic dose.
- Cryopreservation significantly impairs NK cell viability, function, and long-term recovery, potentially limiting clinical efficacy.
- Mobile incubation technology is crucial for the reliable transport of living therapeutic cells, enhancing the potential of cell-based therapies.
