Journal
CYTOTHERAPY
Volume 17, Issue 10, Pages 1406-1420Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2015.07.005
Keywords
adoptive immunotherapy; haematopoietic stem cell transplant; immune reconstitution; T cell therapy; varicella zoster-specific T cells
Categories
Funding
- Cancer Council NSW [CCNSW 07-13]
- National Health and Medical Research Council [APP 1010107]
- Research Infrastructure Support Services [RANSW403]
- Leukaemia Foundation of Australia
- Cancer Institute NSW Research Scholar [RSA07-1-02]
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Research Award
- Anthony Rothe Foundation
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background aims. Virus-specific T-cell immunotherapy is emerging as a promising management strategy for virus infections in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Here we present outcomes of 10 adult patients who received multi-virus-specific T cells prophylactically after HSCT. Methods. Donor-derived cytomegalovirus (CMV)-, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-, adenoviral- and varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific T cells were generated in a single culture and administered to HSCT patients at a dose of 2 x 10(7)/m(2) virus-specific T cells at a median of 63 days post-transplant. Patients were monitored for 12 months for evidence of viral reactivation and graft-versus-host disease. Results. There was no acute infusion-related toxicity. Six patients developed CMV reactivation after T-cell infusion with a median peak CMV DNA titer of 600 copies per milliliter, and 1 received CMV-specific pharmacotherapy post-infusion. No EBV, adenoviral or VZV reactivation or disease was reported. Using interferon-gamma Elispot analysis on post-infusion samples, we identified anti-viral immunity against all viruses including VZV. Three patients (30%) developed grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease. Conclusions. This is the first description of the use of a multi-virus-specific T-cell product containing cells specific for VZV after allogeneic HSCT. The T-cell product appears safe in the setting of HSCT and confirms our previous findings regarding CMV control and treatment. A larger study with longer follow-up is required to determine the efficacy of VZV-specific T cells given prophylactically in controlling episodes of herpes zoster and disseminated varicella infection after cessation of prophylactic anti-viral treatment.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available