@article{hopfner_allogeneic_2021,
	title = {Allogeneic {BK} Virus-Specific T-Cell Treatment in 2 Patients With Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy},
	volume = {8},
	issn = {2332-7812},
	url = {http://nn.neurology.org/lookup/doi/10.1212/NXI.0000000000001020},
	doi = {10.1212/NXI.0000000000001020},
	abstract = {Objective
              Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ({PML}) is a devastating demyelinating opportunistic infection of the brain caused by the ubiquitously distributed {JC} polyomavirus. There are no established treatment options to stop or slow down disease progression. In 2018, a case series of 3 patients suggested the efficacy of allogeneic {BK} virus-specific T-cell ({BKV}-{CTL}) transplantation.
            
            
              Methods
              Two patients, a bilaterally lung transplanted patient on continuous immunosuppressive medication since 17 years and a patient with dermatomyositis treated with glucocorticosteroids, developed definite {PML} according to {AAN} diagnostic criteria. We transplanted both patients with allogeneic {BKV}-{CTL} from partially human leukocyte antigen ({HLA}) compatible donors. Donor T cells had directly been produced from leukapheresis by the {CliniMACS} {IFN}-γ cytokine capture system. In contrast to the previous series, we identified suitable donors by {HLA} typing in a preexamined registry and administered 1 log level less cells.
            
            
              Results
              Both patients' symptoms improved significantly within weeks. During the follow-up, a decrease in viral load in the {CSF} and a regression of the brain {MRI} changes occurred. The transfer seemed to induce endogenous {BK} and {JC} virus-specific T cells in the host.
            
            
              Conclusions
              We demonstrate that this optimized allogeneic {BKV}-{CTL} treatment paradigm represents a promising, innovative therapeutic option for {PML} and should be investigated in larger, controlled clinical trials.
            
            
              Classification of Evidence
              This study provides Class {IV} evidence that for patients with {PML}, allogeneic transplant of {BKV}-{CTL} improved symptoms, reduced {MRI} changes, and decreased viral load.},
	pages = {e1020},
	number = {4},
	journaltitle = {Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation},
	shortjournal = {Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm},
	author = {Hopfner, Franziska and Möhn, Nora and Eiz-Vesper, Britta and Maecker-Kolhoff, Britta and Gottlieb, Jens and Blasczyk, Rainer and Mahmoudi, Nima and Pars, Kaweh and Adams, Ortwin and Stangel, Martin and Wattjes, Mike P. and Höglinger, Günter and Skripuletz, Thomas},
	urldate = {2022-02-14},
	date = {2021-07},
	langid = {english},
	keywords = {peer-reviewed},
}