Adoptive transfer of activated autologous lymphocytes into patients with metastatic lung cancer

Abstract

Autologous lymphocytes that were activated and expanded ex vivo following loading MUC1 antigens were adoptively transferred into three patients with metastatic lung cancer. One of the patients acquired MUC1-specific cellular immunity after treatment. Degrees of fatigue and anorexia were reduced in one of the 3 patients. However, clinical responses such as tumor regression or reduced tumor marker levels were not obtained in any patient. Although fever in 2 and shortness of breath in one of the patients were observed as adverse effects, both effects occurred temporarily and were not severe. This treatment, which is tolerable to cancer patients and enables antitumor immunity, is expected to be useful in molecular targeting immunotherapy against metastatic lung cancer.