Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Célula T citolítica
Killer T cell (KIH-ler sel)
A type of immune cell that can kill certain cells, including foreign cells, cancer cells, and cells infected with a virus. Killer T cells can be separated from other blood cells, grown in the laboratory, and then given to a patient to kill cancer cells. A killer T cell is a type of white blood cell and a type of lymphocyte. Also called cytotoxic T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.