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.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7963109 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40778-020-00170-6 | DOI Listing |
Viruses
December 2024
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
In this study, we revealed a critical role of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2K), a negative regulator of protein synthesis, in regulating T cells during vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. We found that eEF-2K-deficient (eEF-2K⁻/⁻) mice exhibited a significantly higher proportion of VACV-specific effector CD8 T cells without compromising the development of VACV-specific memory CD8 T cells. RNA sequencing demonstrated that eEF-2K⁻/⁻ VACV-specific effector CD8 T cells had enhanced functionality, which improves their capacity to combat viral infection during the effector phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
December 2024
Cell Factory, Department of Mother and Child Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Polyomavirus BK (BKPyV)-associated nephropathy (BKPyV-nephropathy) remains a significant cause of premature kidney allograft failure. In the absence of effective antiviral treatments, current therapeutic approaches rely on immunosuppression (IS) reduction, possibly at the risk of inducing alloimmunity. Therefore, we sought to explore the long-term effects of a tailored viro-immunologic surveillance and treatment program for BKPyV on the development of alloimmunity and kidney graft outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunohorizons
January 2025
Center for Virus Research, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.
The differentiation and functionality of virus-specific T cells during acute viral infections are crucial for establishing long-term protective immunity. While numerous molecular regulators impacting T cell responses have been uncovered, the role of cellular prion proteins (PrPc) remains underexplored. Here, we investigated the impact of PrPc deficiency on the differentiation and function of virus-specific T cells using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Armstrong acute infection model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious alpha-herpes virus. The diagnosis of chickenpox remains a difficult task especially in cases of breakthrough chickenpox, so the development of reliable laboratory tests is necessary. The simplest and most sensitive serological test for detecting antibodies in human and animal sera is the passive hemagglutination reaction (PHAR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVirol J
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China.
Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has emerged as a major pathogen causing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks worldwide. The CVA6 epidemic poses a new challenge in HFMD control since there is currently no vaccine available against CVA6 infections. The Vero cell line has been widely used in vaccine production, particularly in the preparation of viral vaccines, including poliovirus vaccines and EV71 vaccines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!