Epstein-Barr virus vaccine: a cytotoxic T-cell-based approach

Abstract

EpsteinBarr virus infects more than 95% of the human population and is linked to infectious mononucleosis as well as a series of geographicallydefined cancers. To date, there is no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine available for Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases. New immunotherapeutic approaches, based on cytotoxic T-cells, are being developed depending on the degree of Epstein-Barr virus antigen expression in infected cells. It is hoped that these approaches will provide enough impetus for cytotoxic T-cell-based vaccine development. Approaches for developing vaccines towards the different Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases are discussed.

• cytotoxic T-lymphocytes
• epitope
• Epstein-Barr virus
• infectious mononucleosis
• latent infection
• nasopharyngeal carcinoma
• polytope
• post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease
• therapeutic vaccine