Recent advances in the use of antigen-specific T cells for the treatment of cancer

In recent years, the feasibility of isolating and expanding antigen-specific T cells for use in clinical trials has been established by several laboratories. The fundamental considerations associated with isolation or enrichment of antigen-specific effector cells in vitro, and the selection, expansion and administration of cellular products with the degree of rigor necessary for clinical trials have been addressed. These can now serve as a springboard for developing strategies that focus on enhancing the survival and function of adoptively transferred T cells. An increased understanding of cellular immunity, and the availability of advanced technologies to generate and monitor antigen-specific T cells, allows investigators to manipulate the immune response to an extent not previously possible. In this review, we describe recent discoveries that contribute to translational strategies in adoptive T cell therapy.