Adoptive T-cell therapy for Epstein-Barr virus-positive Hodgkin's disease.
Immunotherapy approaches with antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have proved safe and effective prophylaxis and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphomas arising after bone marrow transplantation. EBV is also associated with other malignancies including about 40% of cases of Hodgkin's disease making this tumor another potential target for EBV-targeted immunotherapy. While studies with autologous EBV-specific CTLs have shown antiviral activity and immune effects, the clinical responses have been less impressive than those observed in post-transplant lymphomas. There are several possible reasons why the malignant cells in EBV-positive Hodgkin's disease may be less susceptible to immunotherapy approaches, including the fact that they express a more restricted array of EBV-encoded antigens and possess many immune evasion strategies. A number of approaches to overcome these tumor evasion strategies including targeting CTLs to the expressed antigens and genetic modification of CTLs are being evaluated.
Huls
M Helen
MH
Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Texas 77030, USA.
Rooney
Cliona M
CM
Heslop
Helen E
HE
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes