Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus
Published on: May 7, 2012
Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infection during daratumumab treatment in patients with multiple myeloma
Shuchan Li1,2, Gaofeng Zheng1,2, Jingsong He1,2
1Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
ABSTRACTSWe explored the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in 131 patients with multiple myeloma (MM), 53 of whom received daratumumab (Dara) treatments. The Dara group had more RRMM patients than the group without Dara. CMV infection was significantly more common in patients treated with Dara (16.98%) than in patients treated with regimens without Dara (2.56%). During Dara treatments, 24.53% of patients developed CMV and/or EBV infections. Patients who developed infections had significantly lower levels of albumin and lymphocytes in their peripheral blood. The median time from the first Dara infusion to infection was 27 days. We observed NK cell depletion and T cell expansion during Dara-treatment. Patients with CMV and/or EBV infections had significantly lower numbers of NK cells, total T cells, and CD8 + T cells at 1 month, and lower numbers of CD8 + T cells at 2 months after the first Dara infusion than those without infections.
Insights
Daratumumab treatment in multiple myeloma patients significantly increases the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. These infections are linked to lower albumin, lymphocyte levels, and reduced NK and T cell counts post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy.
- Daratumumab (Dara) is an effective treatment for relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM).
- The impact of Dara on opportunistic infections like CMV and EBV is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in multiple myeloma patients receiving daratumumab.
- To identify risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with these infections during daratumumab treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 131 multiple myeloma patients.
- Comparison of infection rates between patients treated with and without daratumumab.
- Analysis of peripheral blood parameters including albumin, lymphocytes, NK cells, and T cell subsets.
Main Results:
- CMV infection was significantly more common in the daratumumab group (16.98%) compared to the non-daratumumab group (2.56%).
- Overall, 24.53% of patients developed CMV and/or EBV infections during daratumumab treatment.
- Infections were associated with lower albumin and lymphocyte levels, and decreased NK and T cell counts post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Daratumumab treatment is associated with a higher incidence of CMV and EBV infections in multiple myeloma patients.
- Monitoring for these viral infections and immune cell recovery is crucial during daratumumab therapy.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying increased infection risk and immune modulation.
More Related Videos
08:44Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
Published on: September 7, 2022
08:52Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
Published on: May 27, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...