Viral Infections in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Recipients

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 5776

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
Interests: management and prevention of infectious complications in cancer patients, particularly those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy; viral and fungal infections

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is constantly evolving, with changing practices relating to conditioning chemotherapy in order to prepare patients to receive cellular therapy. Moreover, there are changes in the prophylaxis against graft versus host disease (GVHD), for example, an increasing use of post-transplant treatment with cyclophosphamide. These factors play an important role in the risk of infection with opportunistic pathogens, particularly viral infections.

In this Special Issue, the goal is to have updates from experts in the field relating to certain DNA viruses and respiratory viral infections. This will include reviews on infections caused by pathogens such as cytomegalovirus, human herpes virus–6 (HHV6), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), adenovirus, polyomaviruses, human immunodeficiency virus in HSCT, respiratory viruses, and SARS-CoV2.

Dr. Sanjeet Singh Dadwal
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • HSCT
  • GVHD
  • HHV6
  • CMV
  • Adenovirus
  • BK and JC virus (polyomaviruses)
  • HIV
  • SARS-CoV2
  • Chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CART)
  • EBV

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

22 pages, 1194 KiB  
Review
The Management of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in People with HIV
by Jana K. Dickter and Courtney Moc Willeford
Viruses 2024, 16(10), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16101560 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is now recognized as a standard treatment option for people with HIV (PWH) who develop high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, the involved polypharmacy can lead to complications from drug interactions and toxicities, affecting the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy [...] Read more.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is now recognized as a standard treatment option for people with HIV (PWH) who develop high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, the involved polypharmacy can lead to complications from drug interactions and toxicities, affecting the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Managing these patients requires a personalized approach, including the careful selection of ART based on previous therapies and potential interactions, alongside risk assessment for infections. This discussion will address the history of HSCT in PWH and management considerations for this group. Full article
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11 pages, 255 KiB  
Review
EBV Reactivation and Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Recipients and Its Impact on HSCT Outcomes
by Nancy Law, Cathy Logan and Randy Taplitz
Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081294 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 765
Abstract
The acquisition or reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) after allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) can be associated with complications including the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A number of risk factors for PTLD [...] Read more.
The acquisition or reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) after allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) can be associated with complications including the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A number of risk factors for PTLD have been defined, including T-cell depletion, and approaches to monitoring EBV, especially in high-risk patients, with the use of preemptive therapy upon viral activation have been described. Newer therapies for the preemption or treatment of PTLD, such as EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cells, hold promise. Further studies to help define risks, diagnosis, and treatment of EBV-related complications are needed in this at-risk population. Full article
11 pages, 262 KiB  
Review
Refractory/Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection in Transplant Recipients: An Update
by Léna Royston, Genovefa A. Papanicolaou and Dionysios Neofytos
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071085 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1204
Abstract
Despite the significant progress made, CMV infection is one of the most frequent infectious complications in transplant recipients. CMV infections that become refractory or resistant (R/R) to the available antiviral drugs constitute a clinical challenge and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. [...] Read more.
Despite the significant progress made, CMV infection is one of the most frequent infectious complications in transplant recipients. CMV infections that become refractory or resistant (R/R) to the available antiviral drugs constitute a clinical challenge and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Novel anti-CMV therapies have been recently developed and introduced in clinical practice, which may improve the treatment of these infections. In this review, we summarize the treatment options for R/R CMV infections in adult hematopoietic cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients, with a special focus on newly available antiviral agents with anti-CMV activity, including maribavir and letermovir. Full article
15 pages, 1037 KiB  
Review
Human Herpes Virus-6 (HHV-6) Reactivation after Hematopoietic Cell Transplant and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)- T Cell Therapy: A Shifting Landscape
by Eleftheria Kampouri, Guy Handley and Joshua A. Hill
Viruses 2024, 16(4), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16040498 - 24 Mar 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3040
Abstract
HHV-6B reactivation affects approximately half of all allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. HHV-6B is the most frequent infectious cause of encephalitis following HCT and is associated with pleiotropic manifestations in this setting, including graft-versus-host disease, myelosuppression, pneumonitis, and CMV reactivation, although the [...] Read more.
HHV-6B reactivation affects approximately half of all allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. HHV-6B is the most frequent infectious cause of encephalitis following HCT and is associated with pleiotropic manifestations in this setting, including graft-versus-host disease, myelosuppression, pneumonitis, and CMV reactivation, although the causal link is not always clear. When the virus inserts its genome in chromosomes of germ cells, the chromosomally integrated form (ciHHV6) is inherited by offspring. The condition of ciHHV6 is characterized by the persistent detection of HHV-6 DNA, often confounding diagnosis of reactivation and disease—this has also been associated with adverse outcomes. Recent changes in clinical practice in the field of cellular therapies, including a wider use of post-HCT cyclophosphamide, the advent of letermovir for CMV prophylaxis, and the rapid expansion of novel cellular therapies require contemporary epidemiological studies to determine the pathogenic role and spectrum of disease of HHV-6B in the current era. Research into the epidemiology and clinical significance of HHV-6B in chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy recipients is in its infancy. No controlled trials have determined the optimal treatment for HHV-6B. Treatment is reserved for end-organ disease, and the choice of antiviral agent is influenced by expected toxicities. Virus-specific T cells may provide a novel, less toxic therapeutic modality but is more logistically challenging. Preventive strategies are hindered by the high toxicity of current antivirals. Ongoing study is needed to keep up with the evolving epidemiology and impact of HHV-6 in diverse and expanding immunocompromised patient populations. Full article
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