CMV-Specific T-Cell Therapy Improves Immune Reconstitution Following Unrelated Donor HSCT: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Qualitative and quantitative deficiencies in T-cell mediated immunity following allogeneic HSCT are associated with a high incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which remains a major cause of morbidity and cost, and a significant indirect cause of mortality in this setting. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) can potentially expedite reconstitution of virus-specific immunity, minimizing the period of risk. A number of phase I-II studies have demonstrated proof of concept for such strategies, although estimation of efficacy is limited by potential selection bias.