title: T cell-mediated graft-versus-leukemia reactions after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation represents the only curative approach for many hematological malignancies. During the last years the impact of the conditioning regimen has been re-assessed. With the advent of reduced-intensity conditioning the paradigm has changed from cytoreduction executed by high-dose radio-chemotherapy to immunological surveillance of leukemia by donor cells. Distinct subsets of T cells and NK cells contribute to graft-versus-leukemia reactions. So far, cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the mainstay of allogeneic immunotherapy. Here, we summarise the current knowledge of T cell-mediated graft-versus-leukemia reactions and present results from pre-clinical and clinical studies of T cell-based adoptive immunotherapy. We address the issues of feasibility and specificity of adoptive immunotransfer from a clinical point of view and discuss the prerequisites for successful clinical applications. Finally, the prospects for immunological research that have evolved with the increasing use of reduced-intensity conditioning and allogeneic stem cell transplantation are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. johannes.schetelig@uniklinikum-dresden.de
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schetelig
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiani
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ehninger
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bornhäuser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000276:immunology; D020544:Graft vs Leukemia Effect / Q000276:immunology*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D053146:Myeloblastin; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology; D012730:Sex Chromosomes; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053146:Myeloblastin