Importance of the field: Conventional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have contributed much to cancer treatment. However, these treatment modalities fail in a large proportion of patients, and there is a great need for effective alternate therapies. Adoptive immunotherapy can be effective against some cancers that have failed all other treatment options, even when disease burdens are massive.

Areas covered in this review: This review gives a brief introduction of the historical origins of adoptive immunotherapy and then provides details of strategies for increasing the potency of cell transfer. Approaches for enhancing adoptive immunotherapy include: selecting the right type of cell; providing cytokine support; preconditioning patients and tuning the tumor microenvironment. The review also provides insights into the safety, feasibility and costs of this form of therapy.

What the reader will gain: This article will give the reader an appreciation of the potential of adoptive immunotherapy, as well as an understanding of some limitations and current approaches for optimizing the effectiveness of this approach.

Take home message: With recent developments in knowledge of the interactions between the immune system and tumors, the field of adoptive immunotherapy is now poised to make dramatic contributions to cancer therapy.