| abstract |
A method of growing said cells by expressing pTalpha or a functional variant thereof in TCRalpha-deficient T cells and thereby restoring a functional CD3 complex. This method is particularly useful for enhancing the efficiency of immunotherapy using primary T cells from donors. The method includes the use of pTalpha or a functional variant thereof and a polynucleotide encoding such a polypeptide to expand TCRalpha-deficient T cells. Such engineered cells can be obtained by using specific low-frequency cleavage endonucleases, preferably TALE-nucleases. Use of a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), in particular a multi-chain CAR, to target malignant or infected cells in such engineered cells. The present invention paves the way for standard and inexpensive adoptive immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer and viral infections. |