Reactivation of Human Herpesvirus 6 in CAR T Cells Might Explain Some Adverse Effects

Treating CAR T cells with antivirals prior to infusion might lower the frequency of adverse events.

The process of engineering T cells, ex vivo, to target tumor-cell antigens is known as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The engineered CAR T cells then are infused into the patient to kill tumor cells, in vivo. CAR T-cell therapy is used for several hematological malignancies and is being tested in some solid tumors. However, it frequently is associated with adverse effects: changes in mental state, cytokine release syndrome, cytopenia, and pulmonary infections (sometimes of uncertain etiology). A few cases of altered mental state in CAR T-cell patients have been attributed to encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B), but the source of the virus has been unclear.

In a multi-institutional study, investigators examin…

Reviewing Author

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Reactivation of Human Herpesvirus 6 in CAR T Cells Might Explain Some Adverse Effects

Topics

Reviewing Author