Controlled Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation EBV-R After Allogenic Transplantation Improves Survival and Is Associated To An Expansion Of Natural Killer Cells (NK)
Auger S, Orsini M, Ceballos P et al.
Key Points:
Authors evaluated impact of controlled EBV-R on survival of adult patients underwent allogenic BMT and role of different lymphocyte populations in it.
Reduced intensity conditioning regimen (fludarabine, busulfan, ATG) or cyclophosphamide plus TBI used.
Conventional aGVHD prophylaxis.
EBV viral load (EBV-VL) was monitored weekly for the first 6 months, then monthly using standard PCR protocol. EBV-R was defined by an EBV-VL 500 copies/ml.
OS and PFSe not significantly different for patients receiving or not rituximab (respectively p=0.67 and p=0.88).
Implications:
- EBV-R patients after aloo-BMT associated with better OS and PFS, in association with significant increase in circulating NK cells.
View the original abstract on the ASH website.
