Valcyte (valganciclovir) / Roche, Tanabe Pharma - LARVOL DELTA

Cytomegalovirus Lymphadenitis After Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T): An Underappreciated Etiology of Hypermetabolic Lymphadenopathy in the Post-CAR-T Setting. (PubMed, Cureus) - "We describe a 56-year-old woman with primary refractory stage IV diffuse LBCL, not otherwise specified, treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel...Symptoms resolved with a three-week course of valganciclovir, and follow-up imaging showed near-complete resolution of the disease...Tissue biopsy remains essential for accurate diagnosis and to prevent unnecessary oncologic therapy. Clinicians should maintain vigilance for infectious etiologies in this setting, and future studies may clarify whether targeted CMV monitoring is warranted in high-risk patients."

Journal • B Cell Lymphoma • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Hematological Malignancies • Infectious Disease • Large B Cell Lymphoma • Lymphoma • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Oncology • Transplantation

LETERMOVIR USE IN PEDIATRIC HSCT PATIENTS UNDER 12 YEARS OLD: UPDATED DATA FROM A RETROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER STUDY OF THE PDWP AND IEWP OF THE EBMT (EBMT 2026) - "Conditioning regimens included treosulfan-based (44.5%), TBI-based (32.2%), busulfan-based (15.1%), and other (8.2%). In-vivo T-cell depletion (TCD) was used in 34.2% of patients (ATG 27.4%, Campath 6.8%), and ex-vivo TCD in 11.6%.Table 1: Patient and transplant characteristics With a median follow-up of 1 year (95% CI: 0.9–1.1), the 1-year cumulative incidence of CMV reactivation was 23.8% (95% CI: 16–30) overall, 21.4% (95% CI: 13.6–29.2) during primary prophylaxis, and 32.6% (95% CI: 13.1–45) during secondary prophylaxis (Figure 1)...Among patients with CMV reactivation, one death was attributed to relapsed disease.Letermovir was well tolerated with only two patients experiencing mild gastrointestinal toxicity, and no additional significant adverse events reported.CMV reactivations were managed using standard antiviral strategies, including valganciclovir (n=10), ganciclovir (n=8), foscarnet (n=7), and cidofovir (n=1) or continued letermovir alone (n=8)... In this..."

Retrospective data • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Graft versus Host Disease • Hepatology • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Pediatrics

PHYSICIAN SURVEY OF REAL-WORLD MARIBAVIR USE AND TREATMENT DECISION MAKING IN REFRACTORY CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION AFTER TRANSPLANTATION (EBMT 2026) - P3 | "The anti-CMV agent maribavir has shown higher clearance rates and lower incidence of myelosuppression compared with ganciclovir/valganciclovir in transplant recipients with RR CMV infection in a randomized clinical trial (NCT02931539). Survey findings indicate variability and perceived gaps between guidelines and clinical practice in the management of RR CMV infection following transplantation. Following the introduction of new treatment options, physicians reported a tendency to switch earlier to maribavir if the current agent was ineffective or to avoid toxicity. These results highlight the need for treatment options that achieve CMV clearance with fewer treatment-related toxicities, and for practical guidance on optimizing maribavir use in real-world practice."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Hematological Disorders • Infectious Disease • Nephrology • Transplantation

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF MARIBAVIR IN HEMATOPOIETIC CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS BY BASELINE NEUTROPENIA STATUS: A POST HOC ANALYSIS OF PHASE 2 AND 3 CLINICAL TRIALS (EBMT 2026) - P2, P3 | "Clinical Trial Registry: NCT01611974, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01611974NCT02931539, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02931539 Background: Recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are susceptible to myelotoxicity associated with anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) agents such as ganciclovir or valganciclovir. This post hoc analysis of phase 2 and 3 clinical data in HCT recipients with refractory CMV infection showed no statistically significant differences in time to CMV DNAemia clearance and broadly similar overall AE profiles in maribavir-treated patients with and without baseline neutropenia. Although these findings are based on small sample sizes, especially in the neutropenia groups, they support the use of maribavir as a therapeutic option in HCT recipients with refractory CMV infection, regardless of neutropenia, and warrant further research."

Clinical • P2 data • Retrospective data • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Hematological Disorders • Infectious Disease • Neutropenia • Transplantation

FROM VISION TO REALITY: EVALUATING SAFETY OF THE FIRST IN HOUSE IMPLEMENTED CD19 CAR-T IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOR SLE PATIENTS (EBMT 2026) - "Biologic B-cell–targeted therapies such as rituximab and BAFF (BlyS) inhibitor therapy such as belimumab have advanced disease control by reducing autoantibody production and modulating immune activation...After rigorous quality control—including sterility, immunophenotyping, and vector copy number—patients received lymphodepletion with fludarabine (25 mg/m² for three days) and cyclophosphamide (1,000 mg/m² for one day)...Treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile: two patients developed grade <3 cytokine release syndrome resolving after a single tocilizumab dose, and no grade ≥4 CRS or ICANS occurred...Two patients experienced CMV reactivation, managed successfully with oral valganciclovir. UAE's locally produced CD19 CAR-T therapy for SLE shows feasibility, safety, and powerful efficacy, inspiring a bold new era of accessible cellular treatments transforming autoimmune care worldwide for patients."

Clinical • IO biomarker • Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia • Cardiovascular • Glomerulonephritis • Hematological Disorders • Hemophilia • Hemophilia A • Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura • Immunology • Inflammation • Inflammatory Arthritis • Lupus • Lupus Nephritis • Nephrology • Rare Diseases • Rheumatology • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus • Thrombocytopenia • Thrombocytopenic Purpura • Thrombosis

LATE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS REACTIVATION AFTER ALLOGENEIC HSCT PERSISTS IN THE ERA OF LETERMOVIR PROPHYLAXIS – A SINGLE-CENTRE REAL WORLD STUDY (EBMT 2026) - "413/480 (86%) received reduced intensity conditioning regimens, and 397/480 were T-cell deplete (Campath 226/480; 47.1%, ATG 93/480; 19.4%, PTCy 79/480; 16.5%)...20/27 (74.1%) of the post-letermovir reactivators required treatment with an additional anti-viral agent (p=0.52); 3 required admission for treatment with foscarnet (2 having been pre-treated with valganciclovir)... CMV reactivation remains a frequent issue post-allo-HSCT. Letermovir defers the median onset of csCMV to post-D100, but does not reduce the need for further anti-viral treatment."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Genetic Disorders • Graft versus Host Disease • Hematological Malignancies • Immunology • Lymphoma • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Pneumonia • Retinal Disorders

OUTCOMES OF USING GENERIC LETERMOVIR FOR CMV PROPHYLAXIS IN HSCT: RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS (EBMT 2026) - "Antiviral prophylaxis with Ganciclovir or Valganciclovir is limited by myelosuppression. Cumulative incidence of CMV reactivation was marginally higher in our study compared to Western data. All patients responded well to first line Pre-emptive therapy. Time of onset of CMV reactivation was early."

Retrospective data • Beta-Thalassemia • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Infectious Disease • Leukemia • Sickle Cell Disease

REAL-WORLD UTILIZATION AND EFFICACY OF LETERMOVIR PROPHYLAXIS IN ADULT ALLOGENEIC HAEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: SUBGROUP ANALYSIS DEFENDER STUDY (EBMT 2026) - "GVHD prophylaxis included post-transplant cyclophosphamide (63.64%), tacrolimus (45.45%), cyclosporine (41.82%), and mycophenolate mofetil (38.18%)...Pre-emptive therapy was given to 25.45%: ganciclovir (14.55%), valganciclovir (7.27%), cidofovir (3.64%)... Bioequivalent Generic Letermovir (Anvimo) prophylaxis in adult allo-HSCT recipients demonstrated favourable real-world effectiveness with low rates of CMV reactivation and clinically significant reactivation. The 100-day survival rate and low adverse event profile support the safety and tolerability of letermovir in routine clinical practice."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Acute Graft versus Host Disease • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Graft versus Host Disease • Hematological Malignancies • Immunology • Transplantation

RISK FACTORS FOR REFRACTORY CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL AND SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS (EBMT 2026) - "Hot map of risk factors for refractory or resistance CMV infection.Notes: The numbers in the hot map indicate the number of articles corresponding to the factors.Abbreviations: aGVHD, acute graft-versus-host disease; ATG, anti-thymocyte globulin; CMV: cytomegalovirus; BM: bone marrow; BU: busulfan; CB: cord blood; Cy: cyclophosphamide; EB, Epstein-Bar; MMF: mycophenolate mofetil; MP: methylprednisolone; MSD: matched sibling donor; MUD: matched unrelated donor; MZR: mizoribine; PB: peripheral blood; TBI: total body irradiation; VGCV: valganciclovir; WBC: white blood cell. The HSCT-specific risk factors for refractory CMV infection included host immune status, transplantation regimens and viral load, genotypes and blood parameters, while, CMV serological status of donor and recipient, anti-CMV drug exposure, and persistent disease were SOT-specific risk factors for refractory and resistance CMV. Early identification of patients at risk of refractory CMV infection can help..."

Clinical • Acute Graft versus Host Disease • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections • Graft versus Host Disease • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Solid Organ Transplantation • Transplantation • CD8

REAL-WORLD USE, EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF MARIBAVIR IN HEMATOPOIETIC CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH REFRACTORY/RESISTANT CMV OR INTOLERANCE TO ANTI-CMV AGENTS: INTERIM ARISE RESULTS (EBMT 2026) - "Interim results of this European retrospective study support the real-world effectiveness and safety of maribavir in adult HCT recipients with refractory/resistant CMV or intolerance to anti-CMV agents. CMV clearance rates at maribavir discontinuation appeared to be higher than previously observed in the HCT population within the phase 3 SOLSTICE trial. The lower incidence of myelosuppression and nephrotoxicity after versus before maribavir initiation is in line with the lower hematologic and renal toxicity of maribavir compared with ganciclovir/valganciclovir and foscarnet in the overall SOLSTICE transplant population."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Infectious Disease • Solid Organ Transplantation • Transplantation

ALEMTUZUMAB BASED REDUCED INTENSITY CONDITIONING IN HSCT FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN RESOURCE LIMITED SETTING – AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE (EBMT 2026) - " Data of patients who have undergone allo-HSCT with Alemtuzumab based conditioning and with a minimum 6 month post discharge period elapsed, was retrospectively analysed.Conditioning regimen: Alemtuzumab of total 1mg/kg in divided escalating doses from day-6 to -2; Total Marrow Irradiation (TMI) of 4Gy (2 Gy bd) on day -1; Sirolimus 3mg/m2 on 1st day, 1mg/m2 from 2nd day onwards; Post Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCY) at 50mg/kg/d on d+3,+4 (for MUD and Haplo). Thiotepa at 5mg/kg/d on d-3,-2 was added in Haplo-HSCT setting to prevent graft rejection...Three of the patients had CMV reactivation; were successfully managed with empiric Valganciclovir... Non-myeloablative/ Reduced Intensity conditioning with Alemtuzumab is safe and feasible with excellent GVHD and graft rejection mitigation for MSD, MUD and haploidentical HSCT for Sickle cell anemia. Infectious episodes in peri and post-transplant periods, seem manageable even in resource limited settings."

Acute Graft versus Host Disease • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Chronic Graft versus Host Disease • Genetic Disorders • Graft versus Host Disease • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Mucositis • Sickle Cell Disease • Transplant Rejection

CONCURRENT CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE COLITIS AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION AS A CAUSE OF PERSISTENT DIARRHEA AFTER AUTOLOGOUS HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA FOLLOWING BENDAMUSTINE-BASED CONDITIONING. (PubMed, Acta Clin Croat) - "After treatment with oral metronidazole, vancomycin and fidaxomicin, diarrhea persisted despite undetectable C. difficile toxin, with elevation of hepatic enzymes. Eventually, CMV infection was diagnosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and treated with ganciclovir and valganciclovir...Bendamustine-induced colitis and prior rituximab treatment may have been additional risk factors in this patient. Therefore, more comprehensive workup of diarrhea is needed in ASCT recipients treated with these agents."

Journal • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Hematological Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Lymphoma • Neutropenia • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Oncology • Transplantation

Low-Dose vs. High-Dose Valcyte in CMV Prophylaxis After Cardiac Transplantation (ISHLT 2026) - "Abstract is embargoed at this time."

Transplantation

Author Response to: Response to the Letter on "Population Pharmacokinetics and Dose Optimization of Valganciclovir and Ganciclovir in Lung Transplant Recipients". (PubMed, Med Princ Pract) - No abstract available

Journal • PK/PD data • Transplantation

Prevalence and Characteristics of CMV Reactivation after Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Therapy: A Referral Center Experience (TCT-ASTCT-CIBMTR 2026) - "Antiviral treatment was required in 28 patients, most commonly with valganciclovir, ganciclovir, or foscarnet N=17, 6, 5, respectively...Immune dysregulation, inflammatory cytokines, and T-cell dysfunction—exacerbated by steroids or anti-cytokine agents like tocilizumab or anakinra—may contribute...3. Identification of optimal timing and screening strategies for reactivation of CMV after CAR-T therapy."

CAR T-Cell Therapy • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia • B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia • B Cell Lymphoma • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma • Follicular Lymphoma • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Infectious Disease • Leukemia • Lymphoma • Mantle Cell Lymphoma • Multiple Myeloma • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Retinal Disorders

Letermovir Prophalaxis for CMV in Haplo HSCT - Early Experience from Single Center Fron North India (TCT-ASTCT-CIBMTR 2026) - "Second patient had cytopenias and was given pre emptive therapy with Valganciclovir. Letermovir is a highly effective drug in preventing CMV reactivation in high risk transplants especially Haploidentical stem cell transplants. Efficacy of Letermovir in preventing CMV reactivation Side effects of Letermovir Outcome of patients with CMV prophylaxis post Haplo HSCT"

Clinical • Bone Marrow Transplantation • Hematological Disorders • Infectious Disease • Septic Shock

Identifying prognostic clues in CMV anterior uveitis: The role of corneal endothelitis and seasonal relapse patterns. (PubMed, North Clin Istanb) - "Corneal endothelitis appears to be an independent risk factor for secondary glaucoma in CMV-AU, warranting vigilant IOP monitoring and timely antiviral therapy. The observed seasonal pattern, with more frequent relapses in winter overall and an increased rate in spring among female patients, may assist clinicians in identifying high-risk groups and planning closer follow-up."

Journal • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Glaucoma • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Uveitis

Roxadustat for Refractory Anemia Associated to Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney Transplantation. (PubMed, Transplant Proc) - "Case 1: A 72-year-old woman developed anemia (Hb 8 g/dL) during asymptomatic CMV viremia despite valganciclovir, everolimus switch, and escalating ESA doses (up to 18,000 IU/wk). These cases support roxadustat as a valuable option in managing post-KT anemia with CMV-associated ESA resistance, by stimulating endogenous EPO, reducing hepcidin, and improving iron utilization. Further prospective studies are needed to establish its safety and efficacy in this population."

Journal • Anemia • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Hematological Disorders • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Transplantation • EPAS1

Hematological complications in solid organ transplant recipients with telomere biology disorders: a narrative review. (PubMed, Front Immunol) - "Hematological complications may result from both the intrinsic TBD and the additive myelotoxic effects of immunosuppressive agents (e.g., azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil) or anti-infectious prophylaxis (e.g., trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, valganciclovir). A multidisciplinary approach involving pulmonology, hepatology, hematology, and transplant specialists is crucial to optimize patient selection, perioperative management, and post-transplant care. This review summarizes current knowledge on hematological complications following solid organ transplantation in TBD patients and describes expert-opinion strategies for the pre-transplant evaluation and post-transplant management of these high-risk individuals."

Journal • Review • Fibrosis • Hematological Disorders • Hepatology • Immunology • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases • Solid Organ Transplantation • Transplantation

Beyond the Watershed: Chronic Ischemic Colitis Masking Underlying Small Bowel Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. (PubMed, Cureus) - "She required intensive care with vasopressors and mechanical ventilation and was treated for cytomegalovirus viremia with intravenous ganciclovir followed by valganciclovir. Primary intestinal lymphoma can mimic IC through obstruction and microvascular compromise. Early recognition of atypical right-sided IC is essential, as prompt surgery and biopsy can identify underlying malignancy and guide timely oncologic management."

Journal • Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease • B Cell Lymphoma • Cardiovascular • Colorectal Cancer • Critical care • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma • Dyslipidemia • Gastroenterology • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • High-grade B-cell lymphoma • Hypertension • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Lymphoma • Nephrology • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Oncology • Pain • Peripheral Arterial Disease • Polycystic Kidney Disease • Renal Disease • Septic Shock • Small Intestinal Carcinoma • Transplantation • MYC

Low-Dose Valganciclovir for Primary Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis After Heart Transplant: A 10-Year Experience. (PubMed, Clin Transplant) - "This is the largest report of LD VGCV use in HTR. Despite reduced VGCV exposure, HTR remain at high risk for cytopenias. Regardless of potential risk factors, including a high prevalence of overweight BMI and adequate renal function, LD VGCV was associated with expected rates of BT CMV and CMV resistance, suggesting LD VGCV could be considered in HTR. Identification of CMV end-organ disease and GCV resistance suggests that LD VGCV could be considered cautiously in CMV D+/R- HTR."

Journal • Retrospective data • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Leukopenia • Neutropenia • Obesity • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Retinal Disorders • Transplantation

Trial to Study Anti- HCMV Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients With Progressive Intracranial Metastases and CMV Infection (clinicaltrials.gov) - P2 | N=28 | Not yet recruiting | Sponsor: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

New P2 trial • Brain Cancer • Breast Cancer • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Infectious Disease • Oncology • Solid Tumor

From infection to infarction: cytomegalovirus retinitis complicated by retinal ischemia and vitreous hemorrhage in the setting of JAK inhibition - a case report. (PubMed, BMC Ophthalmol) - "This case illustrates CMV retinitis in the setting of JAK inhibition complicated by delayed retinal ischemia and vitreous hemorrhage arising remote from the original retinitis. Although ischemic vasculopathy is a recognized complication of CMV retinitis among non-HIV immunosuppressed patients, such sequelae have been infrequently documented in JAK inhibitor-associated cases. Ophthalmologists should maintain a high index of suspicion for CMV retinitis in this emerging population and continue close surveillance for delayed ischemic complications even after apparent disease stabilization."

Journal • Achromatopsia • Cardiovascular • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammatory Arthritis • Leukopenia • Macular Edema • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology • Retinal Disorders • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Rheumatology • Uveitis

Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis After Lung Transplantation: Hematologic Recovery and Predictors of Switch from Valganciclovir (ISHLT 2026) - "Abstract is embargoed at this time."

Cytomegalovirus Infection • Transplantation

Letter Regarding the Published Article "Population Pharmacokinetics and Dose Optimization of Valganciclovir and Ganciclovir in Lung Transplant Recipients". (PubMed, Med Princ Pract) - No abstract available

Journal • PK/PD data • Transplantation