Adoptive Transfer of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Nuclear Antigen 1–Specific T Cells As Treatment for EBV Reactivation and Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Purpose Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) can lead to severe life-threatening infections and trigger post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Since EBV-specific T cells could prevent PTLD, cellular immunotherapy has been a promising treatment option. However, generation of antigen-specific T-cell populations has been difficult within a short time frame. Patients and Methods To improve availability in urgent clinical conditions, we developed a rapid protocol for isolation of polyclonal EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) –specific T cells by using an interferon gamma (IFN-γ) capture technique. Results We report on the use of adoptive transfer of EBNA-1–specific T cells in 10 pediatric and adult patients with EBV viremia and/or PTLD after SCT. No acute toxicity or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of more than grade 2 occurred as a result of adoptive T-cell transfer. In vivo expansion of transferred EBNA-1–specific T cells was observed in eig...