Dendritic cell vaccination in allogeneic stem cell recipients: induction of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses even in patients receiving a transplant from an HCMV-seronegative donor.

Vaccination with peptide-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) has been shown to be potent immunostimulatory therapy for the management of serious infections. After allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT), a prolonged and severe immune deficiency often leads to infectious complications. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is one such life-threatening complication after allogeneic SCT. A phase 1/2 study including 24 allogeneic SCT recipients at high risk for HCMV disease was performed to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of vaccination with HCMV peptide-loaded DCs. No acute adverse effects were observed, and a significant clinical benefit could be demonstrated in comparison to our historical control group. An induction or expansion of HCMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes was observed in 5 patients after DC vaccination.