SENS5 - Leucocyte transfusions as a novel immunotherapy for cancer patients

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© SENS Foundation 2011 - http://www.sens.org

The Fifth SENS conference - Dipnarine Maharaj

Author:
D. Maharaj
South Florida Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Institute


Spontaneous regression/complete resistant (SR/CR) mice are a line of cancer-resistant mice that are capable of resisting large doses of transplanted lethal cancer cells [1-3]. The basis for this powerful resistance to cancer cells is leukocytes that are capable of detecting, infiltrating, and killing cancer cells within a few hours of exposure [1]. The major component of this anti-cancer response resides in granulocyte, monocyte, and natural killer cell fractions that constitute innate cellular immunity [1,2]. The adoptive transfer of donor leukocytes from SR/CR mice can confer protection against future exposures to cancer cells, as well as the elimination of established malignancies without any further manipulation in cancer-sensitive wild-type (WT) recipient mice [2]. These prior studies suggested the possibility of developing a similar leukocyte transfer platform for humans if humans with anti-cancer activity similar to the SR/CR mice could serve as leukocyte donors. We obtained an FDA IND and WIRB approved Clinical trial for the novel Granulocyte/Leucocyte transfusion in Cancer Patients using young healthy donors. The development and ongoing status of this immunotherapy treatment for cancer will be presented.