OBJECTIVES:
Primary
* To provide access to cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65- and IE-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in patients with persistent CMV infections after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Secondary
* To characterize CMV pp65- and IE-1-specific immune responses in terms of cytotoxicity and cytokine production pre-infusion and then periodically thereafter.
* To characterize the levels of CMV DNA in recipients of CMV pp65- and IE-1-specific CTL and observe whether the CTL infusion has any impact on level of virus.
* To determine the feasibility of CMV CTL culture from CMV-seronegative donors who have received a CMV vaccine.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients receive allogeneic cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65- and IE-1-specific cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes infusion over 5 minutes on day 1. Patients may receive up to 2 more doses at least 2 weeks after previous dose.
Blood samples are collected and analyzed by quantitative CMV PCR, chromium-release assays for CMV pp65- and IE-1-specific cytotoxicity, and immunophenotype for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD19, and CD45RA/RO. Intracellular cytofluorometry is used to assess IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ production by CD4 and CD8 CMV-specific effector cells.
After completion of study therapy, patients are followed periodically for up to 1 year.
