Failure of Viral-Specific T Cells Administered in Pre-transplant Settings in Children with Inborn Errors of Immunity

Purpose Use of adoptive immunotherapy with virus-specific T cells (VST) in patients with inborn errors of immunity prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been reported in few patients. We report our experience, reviewing all the cases previously reported. Methods We report four children with inborn errors of immunity who received VST infusion in a pre-HSCT setting in two reference centers in Spain and review all inborn errors of immunity cases previously reported. Results Taking into account our four cases, nine children have been reported to receive VST prior to HSCT to date: 3 severe combined immunodeficiency, 2 CTPS1 deficiency, 1 dyskeratosis congenital, 1 ORAI1 deficiency, 1 Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, and 1 combined immunodeficiency without confirmed genetic defect. In four patients, immunotherapy resulted in clinical improvement, allowing to proceed to HSCT. In these cases, the infusion was started closely to viral diagnosis [mean time 28 days (IQR; 17–52 days)], and the VST was followed shortly thereafter by HSCT [mean time 28 days (IQR; 10–99 days)]. Viremia was controlled after HSCT in two cases (performed 7 and 36 days after the infusion). Multiple infusions were required in many cases. Five out of nine patients died before receiving HSCT. These patients presented with a prolonged and uncontrolled infection before VST administration [mean time from viral diagnosis to VST infusion was 176 days (IQR; 54–1687)]. Conclusions In patients with inborn errors of immunity, the efficacy of VST for treating disseminated viral infections in pre-transplant settings seems to have a limited efficacy. However, this therapy could be used in a pre-emptive setting before severe viral disease occurs or closely to HSCT.