Pre-emptive treatment of epstein-barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) and post-transplantational lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) with EBV-specific immune effector cell (EBV-IE)

Epstein-barr virus (EBV) is a common human pathogen. In healthy individuals, EBV infection is often self-resolved. However, in immune compromised individuals such as transplant patients, or young and elderly individuals, EBV-related diseases can be lethal. The development of an effective immune response is the best solution to treating EBV diseases. We hypothesise that EBV-specific immune effector cells can be used to prevent or cure EBV-associated disorders including lymphomas. Such immune effector cells can come from the patient\'s own blood, or human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors\' blood. EBV-specific immune effector (IE) cells will be generated in ex-vivo culture and infused into patients. The safety of this approach, and virus titre and EBV-associated diseases will be closely monitored. The study will determine if EBV-specific IE cells can be used to prevent EBV infections and treat EBV-related diseases.