IL-9 SECRETING CD8+ Tc9 CELLS AND METHOD OF TREATING CANCER

Abstract

A method of producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes is provided including priming a population of naïve CD8+ T cells by contacting the population of naïve CD8+ T cells with an immunogenic peptide, in the presence of a Tc9 supportive environment, thereby producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes which secrete IL-9. Purified populations of CD8+Tc9 cells are also disclosed herein, as are method for their use in the treatment of cancer in a subject.

1 : A method of producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes, comprising:
 priming a population of naïve CD8+ T cells by contacting the population of naïve CD8+ T cells with an immunogenic peptide, in the presence of a first Tc9 supportive environment, thereby producing a population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes which secrete IL-9, wherein the first Tc9 supportive environment comprises at least one Tc9 polarizing cytokine or agent selected from the group consisting of IL-4, TGF-13, INF-γ neutralizing agent and IL-12 neutralizing agent.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first Tc9 supportive environment comprises about 1 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml of IL-4, about 0.1 ng/ml to about 10 ng/ml of TGF-β, about 1 ng/ml to about 100 μg/ml of anti-INF-γ monoclonal antibodies, and about 1 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml of anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         3 : The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the primed population of CD8+ Tc9 lymphocytes to proliferate in a second Tc9 supportive environment. 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second Tc9 supportive environment comprises about 1 ng/ml to about 100 ng/ml of IL-2. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the population of naïve CD8+ T cells are obtained from a human subject. 
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the naïve CD8+ T cells are CD62L + . 
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunogenic peptide is presented on irradiated peptide-loaded dendritic cells. 
     
     
         8 - 20 . (canceled)