Prospects for adoptive T-cell therapy for invasive fungal disease

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Invasive fungal disease (IFD) significantly increases morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.
• Increasing use of broad-spectrum antifungals has led to drug resistance and emergence of rare fungal species.
• Current treatments for IFD face challenges due to resistance and limited efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current treatments for IFD in HSCT recipients.
• To examine the potential of adoptive T-cell therapy to enhance IFD treatment.
• To discuss the development of fungus-specific T cells for post-HSCT infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on IFD treatments and T-cell therapies.
• Analysis of evidence for T-cell mediated antifungal immunity.
• Exploration of animal models and clinical data on T-cell transfer.

Main Results:

• Growing evidence supports T cells and phagocytes in antifungal immunity.
• Antigen-specific T cells targeting fungi have been identified.
• Successful T-cell transfer for viral infections post-HSCT suggests potential for fungal infections.

Conclusions:

• Reconstituting antifungal immunity via T cells may correct underlying deficiencies in IFD.
• Adoptive T-cell therapy offers a promising approach beyond pharmacological suppression.
• Clinical development of fungus-specific T cells is in early stages, requiring trials for safety and efficacy.