Adoptive immunotherapy after allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation: New perspectives for transfusion medicine

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) is a crucial therapeutic option in hematological malignancies, and the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect builds the cornerstone of a long-lasting remission. Cytotoxic T cells are known to be the primary effector cells in GvL. They recognize minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) and tumor/leukemia-associated antigens. In case of disease relapse after HPCT, donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is an important treatment option for re-induction of remission. However, both treatments, HPCT and DLI carry the risk of morbidity and mortality due to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and severe infections. Therefore, the development of targeted adoptive immunotherapy with a lower risk of GvHD is needed, and several study groups are working on that topic. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.