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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 625-632 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Expert Review of Hematology |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2010 |
Keywords
- allogeneic stem cell transplantation
- Epstein-Barr virus
- lymphoproliferative disease
- minimization of treatment-related toxicity
- monoclonal antibody therapy
- T-cell therapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology