Value of large scale expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in a compartmentalised gas-permeable bag: interests for adoptive immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has emerged as an effective treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma. However, there are several logistical and safety concerns associated with large-scale ex vivo expansion of tumour-specific T lymphocytes for widespread availability of ACT for cancer patients. To address these problems we developed a specific compartmentalised bag allowing efficient expansion of tumour-specific T lymphocytes in an easy handling, closed system. METHODS: Starting from lymph nodes from eight melanoma patients, we performed a side-by-side comparison of Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) produced after expansion in the compartmentalised bag versus TIL produced using the standard process in plates. Proliferation yield, viability, phenotype and IFNγ secretion were comparatively studied. RESULTS: We found no differences in proliferation yield and cell viability between both TIL production systems. Moreover, each of the cell products complied with our defined release criteria before being administered to the patient. The phenotype analysis indicated that the compartmentalised bag favours the expansion of CD8+ cells. Finally, we found that TIL stimulated in bags were enriched in reactive CD8+ T cells when co-cultured with the autologous melanoma cell line. CONCLUSIONS: The stimulation of TIL with feeder cells in the specifically designed compartmentalised bag can advantageously replace the conventional protocol using plates. In particular, the higher expansion rate of reactive CD8+ T cells could have a significant impact for ACT.

[Effect of socioeconomic transformations on the nutritional status of children of the Cashibo tribe (Peruvian Amazonia)]. / Influence des transformations socio-économiques sur l'état nutritionnel des enfants de la tribu Cashibo (Amazonie Péruvienne).

Investigation for malnutrition, carried out in Peruvian Amazonia, showed 16.4% of malnutrition among 98 children of the Indian Cashibo tribe. This rate is 4 times higher the rate recorded in an indian Brazilian tribe, which is protected and living aside the americano-latin civilization. Some aspects of the acculturation are discussed to explain such a difference.

[Epidemiologic survey of intestinal parasitoses in Peruvian Amazonia]. / Enquête épidémiologique sur les parasitoses intestinales en Amazonie péruvienne.

An epidemiological survey was carried out in 4 native villages from tribe Cashibo, in Amazonia (Peru). Among 165 stools examination, 92% were positives for helminthic (hookworms: 72%, roundworms and whipworms: 55% each, strongyloides: 5%) and protozoan infections (Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana: 50% each, Entamoeba histolytica 24%, Giardia intestinalis 17%). Balantidium coli is not seldom (6%). Polyparasitism, very frequent, is reported with a maximum of 10 species. The most important villages are the most infested. Several factors can explain these results: lack of hygien and treatment, and no sanitary education. These rates are among the highest recorded for the South-American Indian people.