Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review

In this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella...

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Main Authors: Joseph Sassine, Emily A. Siegrist, Roy F. Chemaly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/133
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author Joseph Sassine
Emily A. Siegrist
Roy F. Chemaly
author_facet Joseph Sassine
Emily A. Siegrist
Roy F. Chemaly
author_sort Joseph Sassine
collection DOAJ
description In this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella zoster viruses became part of the standard of care in this patient population. Breakthrough infections may rarely occur, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis as well as the timing of recombinant zoster immunization remain to be explored. Clinically significant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can affect up to 10% of patients after CAR-T, depending on the CAR-T product target, post-CAR-T complications such as cytokine release syndrome and the need for glucocorticoid therapy. Surveillance and prophylactic strategies for CMV need to be developed, whereas the risk factors for and the burden of CMV infections after BsAb are not yet well-defined. Human herpes virus 6 reactivation and end organ disease such as encephalitis are rarely reported after CAR-T and have not yet been reported after BsAb; additional research is needed.
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spelling doaj-art-9d8f6dc97cfd4d0093414bd4573e8f462025-01-24T13:52:42ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-01-0117113310.3390/v17010133Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A ReviewJoseph Sassine0Emily A. Siegrist1Roy F. Chemaly2Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USADepartment of Pharmacy, OU. Health, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USADepartment of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USAIn this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella zoster viruses became part of the standard of care in this patient population. Breakthrough infections may rarely occur, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis as well as the timing of recombinant zoster immunization remain to be explored. Clinically significant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can affect up to 10% of patients after CAR-T, depending on the CAR-T product target, post-CAR-T complications such as cytokine release syndrome and the need for glucocorticoid therapy. Surveillance and prophylactic strategies for CMV need to be developed, whereas the risk factors for and the burden of CMV infections after BsAb are not yet well-defined. Human herpes virus 6 reactivation and end organ disease such as encephalitis are rarely reported after CAR-T and have not yet been reported after BsAb; additional research is needed.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/133herpesvirusesCAR T cell therapybispecific antibodiesHSVVZVCMV
spellingShingle Joseph Sassine
Emily A. Siegrist
Roy F. Chemaly
Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
Viruses
herpesviruses
CAR T cell therapy
bispecific antibodies
HSV
VZV
CMV
title Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
title_full Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
title_fullStr Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
title_short Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review
title_sort herpesvirus infections after chimeric antigen receptor t cell therapy and bispecific antibodies a review
topic herpesviruses
CAR T cell therapy
bispecific antibodies
HSV
VZV
CMV
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/133
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AT royfchemaly herpesvirusinfectionsafterchimericantigenreceptortcelltherapyandbispecificantibodiesareview