Donor CMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes successfully treated drug-resistant cytomegalovirus encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Issue 1 (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ke, Peng; Bao, Xiebing; Zhou, Jihao; Li, Xiaoli; Zhuang, Juan; He, Xuefeng; Wu, Depei; Zhang, Xinyou; Ma, Xiao
• Is Part Of: Hematology. Volume 25:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Donor CMV-specific CTLs -- allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation -- cytomegalovirus encephalitis -- central nervous system; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; 616.15005
• DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2019.1710945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1024-5332

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is a rare but life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Cases presentation: Two patients with drug-resistant CMV encephalitis after allo-HSCT were successfully treated with donor CMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In the first case, a 27-year-old male who received haploidentical transplantation to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), developed CMV encephalitis during the time of the ganciclovir maintenance treatment. After intravenous foscarnet and donor CMV-specific CTLs, CMV-DNA of CSF became undetectable and the abnormal signs of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were limited. Another case, a 57-year-old female with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent haploidentical transplantation, also developed CMV encephalitis during the maintenance treatment of the ganciclovir. After administering donor CMV-specific CTLs intrathecally, the CMV load of the CSF decreased. Conclusions: The intravenous/intratheca administration of donor CMV-specific CTLs may be a safe and effective treatment for CMV encephalitis, especially for patients who suffered from drug-resistant CMV infection.