Adoptive cell transfer is the passive transfer of cells

Cell (biology)

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....

, most commonly immune-derived cells, into a new recipient host with the goal of transferring the immunologic functionality and characteristics into the new host. Clinically, this approach has been exploited to transfer either immune-promoting or tolergenic cells (often lymphocytes) to patients to either enhance immunity against viruses and cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

or to promote tolerance in the setting of autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. This may be restricted to...

, such as Type I diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...

.

To treat cancer

The adoptive transfer of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte

Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are white blood cells that have left the bloodstream and migrated into a tumor.They are an important prognostic factor in melanoma, higher levels being associated with a better outcome....

s (TIL) or genetically re-directed peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been used to successfully treat patients with advanced solid tumors, including melanoma and colorectal carcinoma, as well as patients with CD19-expressing hematologic malignancies.

To induce tolerance in autoimmune disease

e.g. Transfer regulatory T cell

Regulatory T cell

Regulatory T cells , sometimes known as suppressor T cells, are a specialized subpopulation of T cells which suppresses activation of the immune system and thereby maintains tolerance to self-antigens. The existence of regulatory T cells was the subject of significant controversy among...

s to treat Type 1 diabetes and others.