Immuno-therapy may protect against later or for treating lymphoma

Specially designed cells of the immune system can protect the Epstein-Barr virus common immune suppressed transplant recipients of bone marrow against lymphatic diseases and cancers arising from viral infection, said a group of researchers led by those of Baylor College of Medicine, Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital. "Has been compromised therapy with EBV-specific CTL (cytotoxic lymphocytes) effective for patients who were highly immune to achieve the success of tumor cells to proliferate and kill tumor cells," said Dr. Helen Heslop, senior author the study and professor of pediatrics and medicine and a member of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at BCM, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's. The cell remains in the body for up to nine years and provides long term protection.

Patients undergoing transplantation are often immunosuppression. As most people infected with Epstein-Barr virus, the lack of immunity makes the lymphatic system vulnerable to the adverse effects of the virus, especially lymphoma, can be directly attributed to infection.

In this study, 114 patients who received hematopoietic transplantation of blood stem cells as part of an unrelated donor or a family member whose bone marrow has not been well received infusions of components Immune cells called T, which aim to shape were Epstein Barr virus-infected cells. The preventive treatment in 101 patients, none developed lymphoma Epstein-Barr virus-associated infections. Eleven of 13 patients with the disease or symptoms, he underwent remissions.

Because cells were selected, researchers found that specific cells in the body as long as nine years remained. The cost of therapy, which spares healthy cells, has been a little over $ 6,000, which compares favorably to other treatments, estimates of the disease.

The researchers infused the cells shortly after the patient received a transplant of stem cells, which could explain their success, "said Heslop and colleagues.

"With such a promising therapy, it is important that it is not only effective, but there is a cost-effective option for patients at high risk," said Heslop.