Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

High-Efficiency Generation of Antigen-Specific Primary Mouse Cytotoxic T Cells for Functional Testing in an Autoimmune Diabetes Model
Published on: August 16, 2019
Targeting EBV's Achilles' heel with antigen-specific T cells
Mamta Kalra1, Stephen Gottschalk
1Center for Cell & Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, The Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1770, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Evaluation of: Icheva V, Kayser S, Wolff D et al. Adoptive transfer of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1-specific T cells as treatment for EBV reactivation and lymphoproliferative disorders after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. J. Clin. Oncol. 31(1), 39-48 (2013). Adoptive transfer of donor-derived EBV-specific T cells is an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). However, the time-consuming process of EBV-specific T-cell generation using standard protocols has limited their broader use. Ex vivo IFN-γ capture assay is an attractive alternative for the rapid isolation of EBV-specific T cells. In the present study, Icheva et al. employ this method to rapidly isolate clinical-grade T cells that are specific for EBNA1. Adoptive transfer of EBNA1-specific T cells was safe and resulted in clinical benefit in 7 out of 10 patients with EBV-viremia and/or PTLD. Thus, T-cell therapy targeting a single EBV antigen, EBNA1, which is critical for EBV episome maintenance, may be sufficient for EBV-PTLD therapy in hematopoietic stem cells transplantation recipients.
Evaluation of: Icheva V, Kayser S, Wolff D et al. Adoptive transfer of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1-specific T cells as treatment for EBV reactivation and lymphoproliferative disorders after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. J. Clin. Oncol. 31(1), 39-48 (2013). Adoptive transfer of donor-derived EBV-specific T cells is an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). However, the time-consuming process of EBV-specific T-cell generation using standard protocols has limited their broader use. Ex vivo IFN-γ capture assay is an attractive alternative for the rapid isolation of EBV-specific T cells. In the present study, Icheva et al. employ this method to rapidly isolate clinical-grade T cells that are specific for EBNA1. Adoptive transfer of EBNA1-specific T cells was safe and resulted in clinical benefit in 7 out of 10 patients with EBV-viremia and/or PTLD. Thus, T-cell therapy targeting a single EBV antigen, EBNA1, which is critical for EBV episome maintenance, may be sufficient for EBV-PTLD therapy in hematopoietic stem cells transplantation recipients.
Related Concept Videos
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cross-reactivity
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

