A creation of virus-specific T cells targeting neuroblastoma cells has produced significant tumor regression and tissue death, according to a recent report published in Nature Medicine.

Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) usually don't survive long when targeting tumor-related antigens. This is largely because tumor cells lack suitable co-stimulatory molecules, explains Dr. Malcolm K. Brenner, from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in the November online issue of Nature Medicine.

Researchers have overcome that problem by creating Epstein-Barr virus-specific CTLs that express an imaginary antigen receptor targeting a non-viral tumor-associated antigen. This study used the antigen diasialoganglioside GD2, which is expressed by neuroblastoma cells.

The results indicated the virus-specific CTLs did survive longer than other CTLs expressing the same chimeric antigen.  Researchers concluded that "virus-specific CTLs seem to offer distinct advantages as tumor-directed effector cells."