Advancing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Outcomes through Immunotherapy: A Comprehensive Review of Optimizing Non-CAR Donor T-Lymphocyte Infusion Strategies

Abstract

Optimized use of prophylactic or therapeutic donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) is aimed at improving clinical outcomes in patients with malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Memory T-lymphocytes (CD45RA-/CD45RO+) play a crucial role in immune reconstitution post-HSCT. The infusion of memory T cells is proven to be safe and effective in improving outcomes due to the enhanced reconstitution of immunity and increased protection against viremia, without exacerbating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) risks. Studies indicate their persistence and efficacy in combating viral pathogens, suggesting a viable therapeutic avenue for patients. Conversely, using virus-specific T cells for viremia control presents challenges, such as regulatory hurdles, cost, and production time compared to CD45RA-memory T lymphocytes. Additionally, the modulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) for therapeutic use has become an important area of investigation in GVHD, playing a pivotal role in immune tolerance modulation, potentially mitigating GVHD and reducing pharmacological immunosuppression requirements. Finally, donor T cell-mediated graft-versus-leukemia immune responses hold promise in curbing relapse rates post-HSCT, providing a multifaceted approach to therapeutic intervention in high-risk disease scenarios. This comprehensive review underscores the multifaceted roles of T lymphocytes in HSCT outcomes and identifies avenues for further research and clinical application.

Keywords: T lymphocyte; graft-versus-host disease; graft-versus-leukemia; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; memory T cells; virus-specific T cells.