Definition

A preparation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that express natural killer (NK)-like features (nCTLs), with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. The nCTLs are derived from autologous lymphocytes that have been in vitro exposed to autologous alpha-type-1 polarized dendritic cells that are pulsed with specific autologous tumor-associated antigens (TAAs); the nCTLs are subsequently expanded in the presence of the cytokine human interleukin-2 (IL-2). The generated nCTLs are potent CTLs that produce high amounts of granzyme B and perforin, and interferon-gamma (IFNg) with high killer activity and tumor-homing potential. Upon infusion of the autologous nCTLs, these cells specifically recognize the TAAs on the tumor cells, then bind to and directly lyse tumor cells.