The Use of Cytotoxic T Cells for the Prevention and Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Lymphoma in Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Epstein-Barr Virus Lymphoproliferative Diseases (EBV-LPD) can affect patients receiving allogeneic hemopaietic stem cell or solid organ transplant. They are caused by impairment of EBV specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphoeyte (CTL) response due to the immunosuppression that follows these procedures. Despite different therapies LPD can still have a rapid and lethal course. A promising solution is the application of adoptive immunotherapy approaches such as ex vivo generated EBV-specific CTLs for prevention and therapy. Their infusion has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in allogeneie hemopoietie stem cell transplant recipients and their use after allogeneic solid organ transplant is also under evaluation.

Key Words:

• eytotoxie Tcells
• prevention
• treatment
• EBV-induced lymphoma
• transplantation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbara Savoldo

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.