Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010 - (Page 12)

T cells for patient-specific cancer treatment T cell therapy is an investigational approach that is being assessed for the patient-specific treatment of cancer. T cells can recognise and kill cancer cells; by making large numbers of such cells, we can potentially treat large and metastatic cancers. In adoptive T cell therapy, relatively large numbers of cancer specific T cells are generated outside the body and then re-infused. Cancer-specific T cells can be made from blood, from tumours and by genetic modification. chance of survival of the infused cells is greater in patients that have been pre-treated with lympho-depleting, but non-myeloablative chemotherapy. In fact, there is also a chance that the cells multiply post-infusion if administered in pre-treated patients. This multiplication is the result of a phenomenon known as “homeostatic expansion” — the chemotherapy depletes normal T cells and the body then produces cytokines, such as IL7 and IL15, which support the survival and proliferation of the infused cancer-specific T cells. Interleukin-2 (IL2) is often administered in conjunction with T cell therapy; however, the precise value of IL2, or indeed of any other cytokines in this scenario, is the subject of ongoing research. applicable to a whole range of cancers. However, it is a patient specific treatment that requires production of a large number of cells to a GMP standard in a short period of time for an individual patient — this poses a number of challenges; • Production must be flexible and allow the production of multiple different products for multiple patients simultaneously. • The process currently requires considerable skill and some individualisation. Ideally, it would become more automated in the future to reduce cost and improve reproducibility. • The cost of the treatment is relatively high because of the individualised nature of the treatment. Even though the cost is high, the benefits are large (currently for melanoma patients at least) and the key advantage is that this is a one-off treatment that has long-lasting benefits. Thus, even at this early stage of development, the cost benefit is probably comparable to other new cancer treatments, which typically require continued use for months or years. PTE How is treatment administered? The simplest way to administer T cell treatment would be to grow them from blood samples in the laboratory and then re-infuse larger numbers. However, T cells do not generally survive well if they are given in this way. Based on preclinical and clinical research, we now know that the Based on a contribution by Robert Hawkins, Cancer Research UK Director of Medical Oncology at Christie Hospital, Manchester (UK). To read the full version of this article, go to www.pharmtech.com/hawkins www.christie.nhs.uk Will cost hinder uptake? This type of therapy could be 1 CONTENTS 9 THE HUMAN GENOME 2 INTRODUCTION 11 CANCER THERAPY UPDATE 5 MORE THAN SCIENCE NEEDED 14 MANUFACTURING CHALLENGES 7 FUTURE SNP MARKET 16 TOP TECHNOLOGIES http://www.pharmtech.com/hawkins http://www.christie.nhs.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010
Table of Contents
Why Personalised Medicine Business Models will Require Long-Term Strategies and Great Flexibility in Order to be Successful
Science Alone Will Not Lead to Better Medicines
The Current and Future Market for SNPs
The Hype, Hope and Reality of Pharmacogenetic Tests
Unraveling the Human Genome
Progress in Molecular Diagnostics
Personalising Cancer Therapy
T Cells for Patient-Specific Cancer Treatments
Future Research Strategies for Glucocorticoid Therapy
Overcoming Manufacturing and Financial Challenges of Personalised Cell Therapies
Public-Private Partnerships Prosper
Eight Latest Technologies Showcased

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010