Virus-specific Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes

Virus-specific Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (VST) is a type of cellular therapy that helps the immune system fight viruses that can occur in immunocompromised people, particularly after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or solid organ transplant. This therapy involves using T cells that are specifically designed to target and destroy cells infected with certain viruses. VST therapy has shown promising results in treating viral infections that are often resistant to conventional antiviral drugs, with studies showing benefit in 80% of patients who received donor-derived VST therapy and 66% of patients who received third-party VST therapy. The therapy works by activating cytotoxic T cells that recognize infected cells through their CD8 receptors, which then create molecules designed to destroy the infection.

Other names

VST therapyVirus-specific T-cell therapyVSTCytotoxic T lymphocyte therapy