Resolution of EBV(+) CNS lymphoma with appearance of CSF EBV-specific T cells

Abstract

Current knowledge of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cell responses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with EBV-related lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD) in the central nervous system (CNS) is very limited. Here, we present two recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants with EBV-LPD in the CNS. EBV-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes were detected in CSF and peripheral blood using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I multimers loaded with EBV-derived peptides. The appearance of EBV-specific CD8(+) T cells in CSF and blood correlated with neurological improvement and disappearance of EBV-LPD. These observations suggest a role for EBV-specific CD8(+) T cells in the control of EBV-LPD in the CNS.