Adoptive T-cell therapy for EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.
Increased understanding of the mechanisms by which T lymphocytes recognize virus and tumor-specific antigens has fueled the use of adoptive immunotherapy for viral and malignant diseases. An ideal candidate for such treatment is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication post-solid organ transplant (SOT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The disease is essentially the result of suppression of cytotoxic T-cell function and despite various treatment strategies the course may still be fulminant and lethal. Therefore, an adoptive immunotherapeutic approach using ex vivo derived EBV-specific CTL offers a promising solution not only for the treatment but also as prophylaxis for PTLD. The infusion of EBV-CTL has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in allogeneic HSCT recipients and their use post-SOT is being evaluated.
Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Catherine M
CM
Bollard
Barbara
B
Savoldo
Cliona M
CM
Rooney
Helen E
HE
Heslop
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D019737:Transplants