Immunotherapy for opportunistic infections: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

The outcome after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has significantly improved during the last decades. However, opportunistic infections such as viral and mold infections are still a major obstacle for cure. Within this field, adoptive T cell therapy against pathogens is a promising treatment approach. Recently, the techniques to develop T cell products including pathogen-specific T cells have been sophisticated and are now available in accordance to good manufacturing practice (GMP). Here, we aim to summarize current knowledge about adoptive T cell therapy against viral and mold infections.

Keywords: adoptive immunotherapy; aspergillus; mold infection; viral infection.

Figure 1.

Possible strategy to reduce the risk of recurrent/late-onset viral disease using adoptive T cell therapy. (A) Patients with sufficient immune reconstitution are at low risk of recurrent/late-onset viral disease. (B) Patients with insufficient immune reconstitution are at high risk of recurrent/late-onset viral disease. (C) In patients with insufficient immune reconstitution, adoptive T cell therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent/late-onset viral disease.

Figure 2.

Possible clinical trial design incorporating adoptive T cell therapy as preemptive therapy or prophylaxis of infectious diseases at high risk of them