Treating Severe Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Infection With EBV Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs)

Summary

Severe chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (SCAEBV) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV or commonly known as mono or the kissing disease) associated disorder. This disorder may cause chronic tiredness and fevers and sometimes be complicated by life threatening problems such as multi-organ failure, chronic (ongoing) pneumonia, and lymphoproliferative diseases (diseases involving the lymph nodes which could eventually show up as leukemia or a tumor). The reasons for the body's inability to control the EBV infection are still unknown and no effective treatment is currently available. This research study uses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We want to see if we can grow special white blood cells, called T cells, that have been trained to kill EBV infected cells in the laboratory and see if these cells may help control the EBV infection when given back to the patient. The purpose of this study is to find the largest safe dose of EBV specific CTLs, to learn what the side effects are, and to see whether this therapy might help the body fight off the SCAEBV infection.

Timeline

Start

2000-01

Primary completion

2008-12

Completion

2008-12

Drugs

Indications