An unmet need: Harmonization of IL-7 and IL-15 combination for the ex vivo generation of minimally differentiated T cells

T cell-based adoptive cell transfer therapy is now clinically used to fight cancer with CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells. The use of other T cell-based immunotherapies relying on antigen-specific T cells, genetically modified or not, is expanding in various neoplastic diseases. T cell manufacturing has evolved through sophisticated processes to produce T cells with improved therapeutic potential. Clinical-grade manufacturing processes associated with these therapies must meet pharmaceutical requirements and therefore be standardized. Here, we focus on the use of cytokines to expand minimally differentiated T cells, as well as their standardization and harmonization in research and clinical settings.