T cells have the potential to eliminate cancer cells but tumors can evade detection by the immune system and suppress T cell activity. The document discusses how T cells can be genetically engineered for cancer therapy by modifying them with genes that encode receptors recognizing cancer antigens or genes that enable resistance to immunosuppression and extended survival of the T cells within tumors. This genetic engineering has the goal of generating self-propagating T cells that can effectively target and destroy cancer cells.

1. Gene-engineered T cells for
cancer therapy
B.DEVADATHA
M.Sc IInd YEAR BMB
DEPT. OF BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR
BIOLOGY
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY

7. •T cells have the capacity to eradicate diseased cells, but tumours present
considerable challenges that render T cells ineffectual.
•Cancer cells often make themselves almost 'invisible' to the immune system,
and they sculpt a microenvironment that suppresses T cell activity, survival
and migration. Genetic engineering of T cells can be used therapeutically to
overcome these challenges.
•T cells can be taken from the blood of cancer patients and then modified with
genes encoding receptors that recognize cancer-specific antigens.
• Additional genes can be used to enable resistance to immunosuppression,to
extend survival and to facilitate the penetration of engineered T cells into
tumours.
• Using genetic modification, highly active, self-propagating 'slayers' of cancer
cells can be generated