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The genetic modification of T cells with a suicide gene grants a mechanism of control of adverse reactions, allowing safe infusion after partially incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the TK007 clinical trial, 22 adults with hematologic malignancies experienced a rapid and sustained immune recovery after T cell–depleted HSCT and serial infusions of purified donor T cells expressing the HSV thymidine kinase suicide gene (TK⁺ cells). After a first wave of circulating TK⁺ cells, the majority of T cells supporting long-term immune reconstitution did not carry the suicide gene and displayed high numbers of naive lymphocytes, suggesting the thymus-dependent development of T cells, occurring only upon TK⁺-cell engraftment. Accordingly, after the infusions, we documented an increase in circulating TCR excision circles and CD31⁺ recent thymic emigrants and a substantial expansion of the …