Management of cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection encountered in immunocompromised patients. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients undergoing allogeneic (allo-) haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This review presents the most recent management strategies for CMV infection in allo-HSCT recipients. Pre-emptive treatment (PET) consists of frequent monitoring of CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after HSCT; this has been the standard of care for prevention of CMV for many years, given the potential drug toxicity associated with the traditional drugs used as prophylaxis. However, letermovir, recently approved as a chemoprophylactic agent for prevention of CMV, has shown great efficacy in randomized clinical trials and real-world data. Treatment of CMV disease is becoming increasingly difficult, and must take into account the patient's risk profile and the potential for CMV drug resistance. Different treatment strategies exist for refractory and resistant CMV disease. Maribavir is a new drug that showed promising results in the treatment of refractory and resistant CMV disease. Other alternative treatments, such as cellular adoptive immunotherapy, artesunate and leflunomide, may play an adjunctive role in the treatment of challenging cases; however, further investigation is warranted.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Infection; Pre-emptive treatment; Prophylaxis.