LMP/BARF1/ EBNA1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

A preparation of allogeneic cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) made specifically reactive to three Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) proteins, latent membrane protein (LMP) 1, BamH1-A rightward frame-1 (BARF1) and EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), with potential antineoplastic activity. Administration of LMP1/BARF1/ EBNA1-specific CTLs to patients with LMP1/BARF1/EBNA1-positive tumors may result in a specific CTL response against the tumor cells expressing these antigens, which can result in both cell lysis and the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. LMP1, BARF1 and EBNA1 are expressed in various, EBV-associated malignancies, including nasopharyngeal cancer and EBV-positive Hodgkin lymphoma.