Abstract

Immune deficiency, together with its associated risks such as infections, is becoming an increasingly important clinical problem owing to the ageing of the general population and the increasing number of patients with HIV/AIDS, malignancies (especially those treated with intensive chemotherapy or radiotherapy) or transplants (of either solid organs or haematopoietic stem cells). Of all immune cells, T cells are the most often affected, leading to a prolonged deficiency of T cells, which has important clinical consequences. Accordingly, strategies to improve the recovery and function of T cells, as we discuss here, should have a direct impact on reducing the morbidity and mortality of many patients and should increase the efficacy of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccinations against microbial pathogens or tumours.

Author affiliations

1. Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Box 111-Kettering 406D, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA.
2. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3181, Australia.

Correspondence to: Marcel R. M. van den Brink¹ Email: vandenbm@mskcc.org

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