What medications can help increase Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8) and Cluster of Differentiation 3 (CD3) T cells?

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Last updated: April 19, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Blinatumomab is the most effective medication for increasing CD8 and CD3 T-cell counts, as it activates T cells and leads to polyclonal expansion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, with a treatment schedule of 9 mg/day for the first week of induction, followed by 28 mg/day thereafter 1. The mechanism of action of blinatumomab involves binding to both CD19 on lymphoblasts and CD3 on T cells, resulting in T-cell activation and cell lysis of CD19+ lymphoblasts via release of cytokines and cytotoxic granules. Key points to consider when using blinatumomab include:

  • The major toxicities of blinatumomab are cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, with any-grade CRS reported in 3%-14% of patients and grade 3 CRS in 2%-6% 1.
  • Dexamethasone prophylaxis is often given for patients with a high disease burden to mitigate the risk of CRS.
  • The choice of medication depends on the underlying cause of low T-cell counts, with different approaches needed for HIV infection, cancer treatment recovery, or primary immunodeficiencies. Other medications, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-7 (IL-7), may also be effective in increasing CD8 and CD3 T-cell counts, but blinatumomab is the most recent and highest quality option available 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS/PURPOSE INTERLEUKIN 2 4C IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT USES IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT

The medication that can help increase CD8 and CD3 cells is interleukin-2 (SQ), as it provides immune system support [2] [3].

  • Interleukin-2 is known to stimulate the growth and expansion of T cells, including CD8 and CD3 cells.
  • However, the exact effect on CD8 and CD3 cells is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels.
  • Therefore, this answer is based on the general understanding of interleukin-2's mechanism of action.

From the Research

Medications to Increase CD8 and CD3 Cells

There are no direct medications mentioned in the provided studies that can help increase CD8 and CD3 cells. However, some studies suggest that certain factors can influence the counts of these cells:

  • CD8+ T-cell counts can be altered in patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and low counts are associated with high mortality 4
  • CD3+ CD8 low T cells play an anti-HIV role in the first month of infection, but their number decreases gradually as infection persists 5
  • CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts are lower in patients with mycobacterial diseases, such as leprosy and tuberculosis, and in HIV-positive patients 6
  • The transcription factor cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) α can mediate chromatin remodeling of CD8 during the generation of CD3+ CD4- CD8- T cells 7
  • Paracrine IL-2 signals can regulate CD8 T cell immunity, and CXCR3 expression by CD8 T cells is required for their reengagement with DCs in specific subfollicular niches in lymph nodes 8

Key Factors Influencing CD8 and CD3 Cell Counts

Some key factors that can influence CD8 and CD3 cell counts include:

  • HIV infection 5
  • Mycobacterial diseases, such as leprosy and tuberculosis 6
  • Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis 4
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 7
  • Paracrine IL-2 signals and CXCR3 expression 8

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.