Therapeutic Potential of Cells of the Immune System

Abstract Cells of the immune system are being explored as living drugs, potential therapeutic agents that possess biologic properties that can be leveraged to treat numerous diseases including autoimmune diseases or various cancers. In this scientific chapter, building from a brief historic account of the development of T cells to fight cancer, the main cell types that are amenable to provide the basis for ex vivo cell therapy products and their derivatives will be described in detail (dendritic cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), T cells and chimeric antigen receptor–T cells, with a detailed review of specific T cell subsets and particularly memory cells, gamma-delta (γδ) T cells and NK cells). The various indications for which those fundamental properties could be put to use will be reviewed, and the hurdles that remain to be overcome will be emphasised. We highlight in a Perspective section key learnings, hypotheses, objectives, business and scientific insights.