title: Immunotherapy against EBV-lymphoma in recipients of HSCT.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferations represent life-threatening complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the last decade, immunological therapeutic strategies that allow us to selectively abrogate the origin of lymphoproliferation, namely B-cell compartment or EBV antigen-expressing tumor cells, have significantly reduced treatment-related toxicity while maintaining equal or superior efficacy. A further implementation is the possibility of preventing disease occurrence by delivering immunotherapy in the presymptomatic phase, on the basis of EBV-DNA blood levels. Despite the excellent results, T-cell therapy with EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes has but a marginal role in the treatment of these forms. Promising implementations are underway, including logistic solutions to extend T-cell therapy beyond academic centers, delineation of strategies aimed at simplifying/shortening production and targeting immune evasion mechanisms exerted by tumor cells.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comoli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zecca
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maccario
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D012307:Risk Factors; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D004279:DNA, Viral