Hurdles in therapy with regulatory T cells

Improper activation of the immune system contributes to a variety of clinical conditions, including autoimmune and allergic diseases as well as solid organ and bone marrow transplantation. One approach to counteract this activation is through adoptive therapy with regulatory T cells (T-regs). Efforts to manufacture these cells have led to good maunfacturing practice-compliant protocols, and T-reg products are entering early clinical trials. Here, we report the stance of the European Union Cooperation in Science and Technology Action BM1305, Action to Focus and Accelerate Cell-based Tolerance-inducing Therapies-A FACTT, which identifies hurdles hindering T-reg clinical applications in Europe and provides possible solutions.