Article
Immunology
Lena Royston, Eva Royston, Stavroula Masouridi-Levrat, Yves Chalandon, Christian Van Delden, Dionysios Neofytos
Summary: In allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, low-level CMV replication and acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease are significant risk factors for breakthrough clinically significant CMV infection during letermovir prophylaxis. These findings highlight the importance of closer CMV monitoring and prompt preemptive treatment by clinicians.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Lena Royston, Stavroula Masouridi-Levrat, Verena Gotta, Eva Royston, Caroline Pressacco-Brossier, Yasmine Abi Aad, David Tonoli, Abderrahim Karmime, Murielle Jayo, Christian Van Delden, Pierre Lescuyer, Marc Pfister, Yves Chalandon, Dionysios Neofytos
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of letermovir, an anti-cytomegalovirus drug, in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. The results showed that the blood concentration of letermovir remained stable during treatment, but had no noticeable associations with clinical efficacy. The study also found potential associations between concomitantly administered drugs and adverse events, highlighting the need for further research.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Chao-Neng Cheng, Sin-Syue Li, Yun-Hsuan Yeh, Ching-Fen Shen, Jiann-Shiuh Chen
Summary: This study reported the cases of 11 children who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Letermovir showed promising results in cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in these children, but some cases still experienced cytomegalovirus reactivation. Further studies are needed.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Ian Pang, Peggy Chen, Gertrude V. Trinh, Mats Remberger, Igor Novitzky-Basso, Armin Gerbitz, Dennis D. Kim, Rajat Kumar, Wilson Lam, Arjun D. Law, Jeffrey H. Lipton, Auro Viswabandya, Ivan Pasic, Jonas Mattsson, Fotios V. Michelis
Summary: Letermovir prophylaxis starting at day +21 post-alloHCT reduces CMV reactivation, with no impact on posttransplant outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Teaghan T. Chen, Alexandria P. David, Erin K. Barthelmess, Christine E. MacBrayne
Summary: This retrospective study examined the use of Letermovir (LTV) as prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. The results showed that LTV prophylaxis was associated with reduced clinically significant CMV DNAemia within 6 months post transplant. Although off-label, the use of LTV in pediatric stem cell transplant patients showed promising results.
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Joseph Sassine, Fareed Khawaja, Terri Lynn Shigle, Victoria Handy, Farnaz Foolad, Samuel L. Aitken, Ying Jiang, Richard Champlin, Elizabeth Shpall, Katy Rezvani, Ella J. Ariza-Heredia, Roy F. Chemaly
Summary: Primary prophylaxis with letermovir in CMV-seropositive allogeneic HCT recipients is associated with significant reductions in refractory or resistant CMV infections, nonrelapse mortality at week 48, as well as CS-CMVi and CMV end-organ disease. This approach effectively prevents difficult-to-treat CMV infections and improves outcomes after allogeneic HCT.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Andrea Gilioli, Andrea Messerotti, Paola Bresciani, Angela Cuoghi, Valeria Pioli, Corrado Colasante, Francesca Bettelli, Davide Giusti, Fabio Forghieri, Leonardo Potenza, Francesca Donatelli, Rachele Giubbolini, Laura Galassi, Roberto Marasca, Federico Banchelli, Roberto D'Amico, Monica Pecorari, William Gennari, Tommaso Trenti, Patrizia Comoli, Mario Luppi, Franco Narni
Summary: The study retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients who underwent HSCT and found that CMV clinically significant infection (CS-CMVi) occurred in 48% of prophylactically treated patients, but it did not impact relapse incidence or overall survival. Additionally, the use of CMV-IG alone as prophylactic therapy did not effectively prevent CMV reactivation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lena Royston, Eva Royston, Stavroula Masouridi-Levrat, Nathalie Vernaz, Yves Chalandon, Christian Van Delden, Dionysios Neofytos
Summary: The study demonstrated that primary anti-CMV letermovir prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of CMV infection in high-risk patients after HCT, decreasing the need for treatment and associated costs. Letermovir also showed positive effects on platelet reconstitution and renal function.
Article
Oncology
Massimo Martino, Annalisa Pitino, Mercedes Gori, Benedetto Bruno, Alessandra Crescimanno, Vincenzo Federico, Alessandra Picardi, Stefania Tringali, Claudia Ingrosso, Paola Carluccio, Domenico Pastore, Gerardo Musuraca, Annalisa Paviglianiti, Adriana Vacca, Bianca Serio, Gabriella Storti, Nicola Mordini, Salvatore Leotta, Michele Cimminiello, Lucia Prezioso, Barbara Loteta, Anna Ferreri, Fabrizia Colasante, Emanuela Merla, Luisa Giaccone, Alessandro Busca, Maurizio Musso, Renato Scalone, Nicola Di Renzo, Serena Marotta, Patrizio Mazza, Pellegrino Musto, Immacolata Attolico, Carmine Selleri, Filippo Antonio Canale, Marta Pugliese, Giovanni Tripepi, Gaetana Porto, Giovanni Martinelli, Angelo Michele Carella, Claudio Cerchione
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of letermovir for CMV prophylaxis in a real-world setting, showing significant reduction in clinically important CMV infections and diseases.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Joshua A. Hill, Danniel Zamora, Hu Xie, Laurel A. Thur, Colleen Delaney, Ann Dahlberg, Steven A. Pergam, Wendy M. Leisenring, Michael Boeckh, Filippo Milano
Summary: Letermovir is effective in preventing clinically significant CMV infection after CBT, but there is a higher incidence of delayed-onset infections after discontinuation, requiring close monitoring and consideration for extended prophylaxis.
Article
Hematology
Danniel Zamora, Elizabeth R. Duke, Hu Xie, Bradley C. Edmison, Brenda Akoto, Richard Kiener, Terry Stevens-Ayers, Ralf Wagner, Marco Mielcarek, Wendy M. Leisenring, Keith R. Jerome, Joshua T. Schiffer, Greg Finak, Stephen C. De Rosa, Michael Boeckh
Summary: The study suggests that letermovir may delay CMV-specific cellular reconstitution, possibly due to decreased CMV antigen exposure. Evaluating T-cell polyfunctionality can help identify patients at risk for late CMV infection after HCT.
Article
Oncology
M. O. N. I. K. A. RICHERT-PRZYGONSKA, K. A. M. I. L. A. JAREMEK, R. O. B. E. R. T. DEBSKI, J. O. A. N. N. A. KONIECZEK, M. O. N. I. K. A. LECKA, M. A. G. D. A. L. E. N. A. DZIEDZIC, T. O. M. A. S. Z. BOGIEL, J. A. N. STYCZYNSKI, K. R. Z. Y. S. Z. T. O. F. CZYZEWSKI
Summary: This retrospective study suggests that letermovir is effective and safe for prophylaxis against CMV infection in pediatric patients undergoing allo-HCT.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Fatima Allaw, Sara F. Haddad, Johnny Zakhour, Souha S. Kanj
Summary: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection in immunocompromised patients, especially those undergoing allo-HSCT. Recent management strategies include pre-emptive treatment with frequent CMV PCR monitoring and the use of new drugs like letermovir. Treatment of CMV disease is challenging due to drug resistance, but promising results have been seen with maribavir and other alternative treatments such as immunotherapy, artesunate, and leflunomide.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Garrett A. Perchetti, Melinda A. Biernacki, Hu Xie, Jared Castor, Laurel Joncas-Schronce, Masumi Ueda Oshima, YoungJun Kim, Keith R. Jerome, Brenda M. Sandmaier, Paul J. Martin, Michael Boeckh, Alexander L. Greninger, Danniel Zamora
Summary: The authors evaluated letermovir resistance and breakthrough CMV reactivation in CMV-seropositive HCT recipients receiving letermovir prophylaxis. A rare C325Y resistance mutation was identified, and cumulative steroid exposure was the strongest risk factor for CMV at all viral thresholds. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide or calcineurin inhibitors plus mycophenolate were also associated with an increased risk of CMV reactivation.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ndeye Soukeyna Diop, Pascal Roland Enok Bonong, Chantal Buteau, Michel Duval, Jacques Lacroix, Louise Laporte, Marisa Tucci, Nancy Robitaille, Philip C. Spinella, Geoffrey Cuvelier, Suzanne M. Vercauteren, Victor Lewis, Caroline Alfieri, Helen Trottier
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of antiviral prophylaxis on post-transplant EBV and CMV infections in pediatric HSCT recipients. The results showed that acyclovir and famciclovir did not reduce the risk of post-transplant CMV and EBV DNAemia among the pediatric population in the study.
