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KEY WORDS: T-cell, LTCI, immunomod- in the treatment of cats infected with feline
ulator, immunotherapeutic, FeLV, FIV, IL-2, leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immu-
interferons nodeiciency virus (FIV), and the associated
ABSTRACT symptoms of lymphocytopenia, opportunis-
tic infection, anemia, granulocytopenia, or
Lymphocyte T-cell immunomodulator
thrombocytopenia.” This article describes
(LTCI) has recently become commercially
the basic science behind the claims and the
available under a conditional license for the
immunotherapeutic rationale for LTCI based
treatment of cats infected with feline leuke-
on published literature, patents, and addi-
mia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodei-
tional data provided by the manufacturer.
ciency virus (FIV). The primary therapeutic
effects of LTCI, a protein produced by a thy- Lymphocyte T-cell immunomodula-
mic stromal epithelial cell line, are mediated tor represents an immunopharmacologic
through activation of progenitor T helper, approach to infectious disease intervention,
CD-4 lymphocytes to mature and produce which is quite different from the traditional
interleukin-2 and interferon. These cytokines pharmaceutical approach. The past several
in turn stimulate CD-8 “cytotoxic” T-cells, decades have witnessed an expansion of
which attack virus-infected and tumor cells. knowledge in immunology, which is being
Immunotherapeutic effects of LTCI have increasingly translated into new therapeutic
been demonstrated in inluenza-infected strategies.1 Regulation of the immune re-
mice, thrombocytopenic mice, challenge sponse is a multifactorial process involving
studies in dogs infected with rabies and lymphocytes that function to maintain both
distemper virus, and FeLV- and FIV-infected self tolerance and aggressive defense against
cats. A more precise description of the im- microbes as well as homeostasis following
munotherapeutic potential of LTCI under successful immunity.2 The challenge has al-
clinical ield conditions must await results of ways been limited understanding on how to
controlled trials in cats, which are currently precisely modulate the immune system with-
underway. out causing additional harm. These hurdles
are quickly being overcome with increased
INTRODUCTION
understanding of how immune cells interact,
On December 15, 2006, the United States their complex cytokine signals, and a variety
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center of other biochemical and molecular attri-
for Veterinary Biologics granted a condi- butes that are being elucidated almost daily.
tional license for “lymphocyte T-cell im-
munomodulator” (LTCI). Lymphocyte T-cell LTCI: DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW
immunomodulator is “intended as an aid Lymphocyte T-cell Immunomodulator is a