HOUSTON (Nov. 2, 2009) –Specially developed immune system cells
that target the common Epstein-Barr virus can protect
immune-suppressed bone marrow transplant recipients against lymph
system disease and cancers that arise from the viral infection, said
a group of researchers led by those from Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH),
Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), and The Methodist Hospital (TMH).
“Therapy with EBV-specific CTLs (cytotoxic lymphocytes) was
effective for these patients who were severely immune-compromised,
as the cells successfully reached the tumor, multiplied and were
able to kill tumor cells” said Dr. Helen Heslop, lead author of the
study and professor of pediatrics and medicine and a member of the
Center for Cell and Gene therapy at BCM, Texas Children’s Hospital
and The Methodist Hospital. The cell remained in the body for up to
nine years, providing long-term protection.
Patients who undergo the transplants are often immune-suppressed.
Because most people have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus, the
lack of immune protection makes their lymph system vulnerable to
adverse effects of the virus, especially lymphomas that can be
traced directly back to the infection.
In this study, 114 patients who had received hematopoietic or
blood-related stem cell transplants from an unrelated donor or a
family member whose bone marrow was not a perfect match also
received infusions of immune components called T-cells that were
designed to target Epstein-Barr virus-infected cells. The treatment
was preventive in 101 patients, none of whom developed lymphomas
associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Eleven of 13 patients
who had this disease or symptoms of it had sustained remissions.
Because the cells were marked, researchers determined that the
special cells remained in the body for as long as nine years. The
cost of the therapy, which spares normal cells, was estimated at
just over $6,000, which compares favorably to other treatments for
the disorder.
Researchers infused the cells soon after the patients received
the stem cell transplants, which could account for its success, said
Heslop and her colleagues.
“With such a promising therapy, it’s important that it is not
only effective, but that it is a cost-effective option for high-risk
patients,” said Dr. Heslop.
Others who took part in this research include Martin A Pule,
Alexandra Rousseau, Catherine M Bollard, Malcolm K Brenner and
Cliona M Rooney, all of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at BCM,
TCH and TMH. Hao Liu and Meng-Fen Wu of the Dan L. Duncan Cancer
Center at BCM, Karen S. Slobod of Novartis Vaccine & Diagnostics in
Cambridge, Massachusetts; ,Gregory A Hale, Colton A Smith, Richard J
Rochester and Julia L Hurwitz of St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and Persis J Amrolia of Great Ormond
St. Children’s Hospital in London, UK.
Funding for this work came from the
National Institutes of Health, the
Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society, the National
Cancer Institute, the
Assisi Foundation and the American Lebanese Syrian Associated
Charities.
About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy
children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education
and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough
developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is
ranked in the top ten best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and
World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest
primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the
greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5
Billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a Neurological
Research Institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on
high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston.
For more information, visit
www.texaschildrens.org.
