IE63-specific T-cell responses associate with control of subclinical varicella zoster virus reactivation in individuals with malignancies.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) is more common in patients with malignancies; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this susceptibility are unclear. METHODS: Using ex vivo interferon-gamma ELISpot assays, we set out to analyse VZV-specific immune responses in a large cohort of patients with malignancies. RESULTS: We observed that patients with malignancies had impaired VZV-specific T-cell responses, particularly in those with haematological malignancies and breast carcinoma. Immediate-early protein 63 (IE63)-specific T-cell responses were significantly impaired in those with subclinical VZV re-activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that T-cell responses to IE63 are important in controlling VZV replication.

Authors: Malavige, G; Rohanachandra, LT; Jones, L; Crack, L; Perera, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: British journal of cancer
• Volume: 102
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 727-730
• Publication date: 2010-02-01
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605542
• EISSN: 1532-1827
• ISSN: 0007-0920
• Language: English
• Keywords: Neoplasms; T-Lymphocytes; Interferon-gamma; Aged; Humans; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Viremia; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Viral Vaccines; Female; Immediate-Early Proteins; Viral Envelope Proteins; Middle Aged; Adult; Virus Activation