Identification, Isolation and Characterization of Foxp3+ CD25+CD4+ Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes from Cervical and Ovarian Cancer

Despite infiltration by CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes tumors grow progressively and are not eradicated by the immune system. In cervical cancer antigen specificity of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to HPV antigens has been demonstrated. Upon isolation from the tumor and in vitro culture such TIL display lytic activity against antigen positive target cells, or respond with cytokine secretion. Therefore, local immune suppression in situ is a critical problem. Immunosuppressive regulatory T cells are characterized by expression of transcription factor Foxp3. We have identified and quantified Foxp3+ cells in tumor…