Dendritic cell vaccination in allogeneic stem cell recipients: induction of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses even in patients receiving a transplant from an HCMV-seronegative donor.
Vaccination with peptide-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) has been shown to be potent immunostimulatory therapy for the management of serious infections. After allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT), a prolonged and severe immune deficiency often leads to infectious complications. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is one such life-threatening complication after allogeneic SCT. A phase 1/2 study including 24 allogeneic SCT recipients at high risk for HCMV disease was performed to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of vaccination with HCMV peptide-loaded DCs. No acute adverse effects were observed, and a significant clinical benefit could be demonstrated in comparison to our historical control group. An induction or expansion of HCMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes was observed in 5 patients after DC vaccination.
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Julius Maximilians University of Wurzburg, Wurzburg, D-97080, Germany. grigoleit_g@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Gotz Ulrich
GU
Grigoleit
Markus
M
Kapp
Holger
H
Hebart
Kerstin
K
Fick
Robert
R
Beck
Gerhard
G
Jahn
Hermann
H
Einsele
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines