autologous EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Autologous EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) therapy is an investigational cell-based immunotherapy developed by Baylor College of Medicine for the prevention and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD) in solid organ transplant recipients. The manufacturing process involves isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the patient and stimulating them ex vivo with EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCLs). This results in the expansion of a polyclonal population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that specifically recognize multiple latent and lytic EBV viral antigens. Once infused back into the patient, these CTLs target and eliminate EBV-infected B cells, providing a targeted immune response against EBV-related malignancies while minimizing the risk of graft-versus-host disease. While highly effective in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, this autologous approach is specifically evaluated for solid organ transplant patients to address challenges such as ongoing immunosuppression.

Other names

EBV-specific CTLsEBV-CTLsAutologous EBV-CTLs