Functional analysis of TCR γδ+ T cells in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of human pancreatic cancer

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Abstract
In six patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma, TIL and tumour‐draining lymphocytes (TDL) were isolated from primary pancreatic tumour and regional lymph nodes. In comparison with TDL and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), TIL contained a comparatively higher percentage of TCR γδ+ cells, although they were still a small fraction. By 2 weeks culture with rIL‐2 and immobilized OKT‐3 antibody, the TCR γδ+ cells in TIL were preferentially expanded at the early culture periods, although it was temporary. In four cases, the TCR γδ+ and CD8+ TCR αβ+ TIL were separated by negative sorting using flowcytometry. All the TCR γδ+ TIL were CD4−, CD8− (double negative), and one of the TIL lines was mostly composed of δTCSI+ cells, while the others were δTCS1−. In comparison with CD8+ TCRαβ+ TIL, all the TCR γδ+ TIL exhibited much stronger lytic activity against freshly isolated autologous pancreatic cancer cells. However, all the γδ+ TIL also exhibited a strong non‐MHC‐restricted cytoloxicity, and there was no correlation between the lytic pattern and the percentage of δTCSI+ cells. These data suggest that the TCR γδ+ T cells can proliferate vigorously in a certain condition, and if successfully expanded in vitro they might be helpful material for effective adoptive immunotherapy.