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. 2020 Jun;6(2):17-29.
doi: 10.1007/s40778-020-00170-6. Epub 2020 May 7.

Virus-specific T cells for malignancies - then, now and where to?

Sandhya Sharma  1   2 , Wingchi K Leung  1 , Helen E Heslop  1
Affiliations

Virus-specific T cells for malignancies - then, now and where to?

Sandhya Sharma et al. Curr Stem Cell Rep. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Virus-associated malignancies are a global health burden, constituting 10-12% of cancers worldwide. As these tumors express foreign viral antigens that can elicit specific T cell responses, virus-directed immunotherapies are a promising treatment strategy. Specifically, adoptive cell transfer of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) has demonstrated the potential to eradicate cancers associated with certain viruses.

Recent findings: Initial studies in 1990s first showed that VSTs specific for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBVSTs) can induce complete remissions in patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Since then, studies have validated the specificity and safety of VSTs in multiple lymphomas and solid malignancies. However, challenges remain to optimize this platform for widespread use, including enhancing potency and persistence, overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and streamlining manufacturing processes that comply with regulatory requirements.

Summary: This review focuses on data from clinical trials evaluating VSTs directed against three viruses (EBV, HPV and MCPyV), as well as recent preclinical and clinical advances, and potential future directions.

Keywords: Adoptive cell therapy; Hematological cancers; Oncovirus; Solid cancers; Virus associated malignancies; Virus specific T-cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest HEH has ownership interest (including stock, patents, etc.) in Allovir and Marker Therapeutics, and is a consultant/advisory board member for Novartis, Gilead Biosciences, Kiadis, Tessa Therapeutics, and PACT Pharma and has received commercial research grants from Cell Medica and Tessa Therapeutics. SS and WL have no potential conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Schematic illustration of different EBV latency stages characterized by limited gene expression in each latency stages and associated malignancies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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