Viable Dissociated Tumor Cells (DTCs) are single-cell suspensions from tumors, containing tumor cells, stromal cells, and crucial Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), obtained through enzymatic/mechanical breakdown of solid tissue, offering a representative model for research and a source for therapies like TIL therapy, where immune cells (T cells, NK cells) are extracted and expanded to fight cancer. TILs, particularly T cells (CD8+, CD4+), are key players in anti-tumor immunity, and analyzing their presence and function within DTCs helps predict immunotherapy success.
Viable Dissociated Tumor Cells (DTCs)
What they are:
A mixture of all cell types found in a solid tumor (cancer cells, immune cells like TILs, fibroblasts, etc.) as individual cells.
How they’re made:
Solid tumors are minced and treated with enzymes and mechanical force to break them apart.
Why they’re useful:
They mimic the original tumor’s complex environment (Tumor Microenvironment – TME) and are crucial for studying cell interactions, testing drugs, and isolating specific immune cells.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)
What they are:
Immune cells (mainly T cells, B cells, NK cells) that have traveled from the bloodstream into the tumor.
Their role:
They are the body’s attempt to fight cancer; their presence often indicates a better prognosis and response to treatment.
Therapeutic potential:
In TIL therapy, TILs are harvested from a patient’s tumor, grown in large numbers in a lab, and then reinfused to boost the immune attack on cancer.
The Connection
- DTCs are the source of TILs for research and therapy.
- By dissociating tumors into DTCs, researchers can isolate specific TIL subsets (e.g., CD8+ T cells) for detailed analysis (immunophenotyping) or for adoptive cell therapies.
For more details, contact our team at bd@cell-bio.life
