CD8-depleted donor leukocyte transfusions for cytomegalovirus antigenemia in patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with allogeneic CD34(+) cell transplantation

Abstract

A 24-year-old man with acute lymphoblastic leukemia received an allogeneic CD34(+) cell transplant from an HLA-mismatched sibling because of refractory disease. The CD34(+) cells were enriched by the immunomagnetic method. One month after the transplant his situation became complicated due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia, which was resistant to treatment with ganciclovir. He was treated with CD8(+) cell-depleted donor lymphocyte transfusions (CD8-depleted DLT). After CD8-depleted DLT, the CMV antigenemia disappeared completely. This case report suggested that CD8-depleted DLT was an effective therapy for CMV antigenemia after allogeneic CD34(+) cell transplantation.