Developing Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy for Patients with HIV and Cancer

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Abstract

The first part of the project will test whether HIV viral replication occurs during TIL manufacturing. We hypothesize that T cell expansion and proliferation will lead to HIV viral replication during this process since this was seen in previous studies manufacturing TCR-T cells from patients with HIV. If viral replication does occur, the second part of the project will be to test the use of the antiretroviral agent zidovudine (AZT) during cell manufacturing. AZT was chosen due to its high water solubility, low levels of resistance in the population and low costs. In addition, we that found AZT was effective in lowering HIV viral replication without decreasing T cell expansion and proliferation in a cell manufacturing process for TCR-T cell therapy. Lastly, we will study the effects of AZT on TIL expansion, phenotype and anti-tumor function. These studies will be the basis for a clinical trial testing TIL therapy in patients with HIV and solid cancers.