Achievements and prospects of cellular technologies based on the activated lymphocytes in the treatment of malignant tumors

Abstract

This article reviews the immune system and its role in the relationship between the tumor and the body of a patient with tumor diseases. It is about controlling homeostasis by recognizing and eliminating genetically alien substances (antigens). Antitumor treatment is now not only considered as an “instrument” for eliminating and destroying tumor cells, but also its ability to change/restore impaired functions of the immune system attracts attention. The used antitumor treatment is widely known to be immunosuppressive, stress and radiation effects also cause and/or enhance immunosuppression. In this work, the authors provide literature data demonstrating current status and problems of cellular immunotherapy of malignant tumors with the use of activated lymphocytes, and the role of antigen-specific T-lymphocytes as one of its most important agents is reviewed. Currently, among the immunotherapeutic methods, a special place is occupied by approaches involving the use of autologous or allogenic ex vivo stimulated immunocompetent cells (adoptive immunotherapy). The importance of complex influence on various links (T-, B-, NK-cell) and stages (presentation, recognition, proliferation, differentiation, migration, activation, effector functions) of the immune response is considered. The emergence of targeted drugs based on antibodies, as well as vaccines, especially dendritic cells, has provoked the emergence of a new wave of interest in the formation of specific antitumoral immune response mediated by T lymphocytes, so the introduction of the latter can be classified as a kind of targeted therapy. The value of antigen-specific T-lymphocytes in the formation of antitumor immunity is shown, which emphasizes the importance not only of CD8+, but also of CD4+ T-lymphocytes. In addition, there are suggestions of the possible significance of both T- and B-cells for developing a strategy of cellular immunotherapy. The literature data suggest that not only cytotoxic lymphocytes, but also T-helpers and even B-lymphocytes can be effective as antigen-specific lymphocytes as a component of antitumor treatment. The authors consider the possibility of obtaining antigen-specific T cells, as well as their further storage. The possibility of elimination or selective inhibition of regulatory T-cells during adoptive immunotherapy aimed at removing the suppressor effect on cytotoxic lymphocytes is studied. Various strategies for the use of cell therapy are also discussed.