Cytotoxic T lymphocytes for the treatment of viral infections and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders in transplant recipients

Purpose of review The continuous and successful expansion of organ transplants is unfortunately associated with increased incidence of severe opportunistic viral infections and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphomas secondary to immunosuppression. Here, we review the strengths and limitations of T-cell-based strategies used to treat viral infections in immunocompromised individuals. Recent findings While current antiviral drugs are often suboptimal because of associated toxicities, a promising approach in the management of infections with viruses like cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus (AdV) and EBV is the adoptive transfer of T cells targeting these viruses that can be directly isolated from the peripheral blood of the donor or expanded ex vivo prior to infusions in patients. Summary T-cell-based immunotherapies are now being included in the clinical practice of transplant recipients to prevent and treat infections and complications associated with CMV, AdV and EBV. Improvement of current limitations will enable the extension of these approaches to all patients at risk and to other clinically relevant viruses and pathogens that are emerging as significant complications for immunocompromised patients.