Therapeutic T-cells have shown great promise in controlling tumor growth.  Treatment of cancer patients with tumor-specific T-cells is referred to as adoptive T-cell therapy (or ACT).  Currently used manufacturing protocols, which are based on multi-well/flask based cell culture, have several drawbacks. These are labor-intensive, need highly skilled technicians, are prone to operator-induced contamination, and are not amenable to automation.  Alternative manufacturing strategies using bioreactors typically used in the biopharmaceutical industry for producing monoclonal antibodies and similar protein therapeutics by mammalian cell culture have been examined. However, they have been found wanting in several respects, primarily because culture condition suitable for hybridoma or CHO cell is not suitable for T-cells.  In this study, we discuss the culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using a single-use perfusion membrane bioreactor. This device provided an ideal environment for cell expansion and maintenance of viable cells. Cells recovered from the membrane bioreactor were analyzed by flow cytometry and functional assays to establish equivalence with conventional cell culture protocols. The results obtained are discussed.

Single-use membrane bioreactor for culturing therapeutic T-cells

251st National Meeting (2016)

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