Abstract: An isolated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptide, wherein the CAR includes an extracellular antigen-binding domain, including an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a protein encoded by a herpes virus, or to a protein complex including the protein (herpes virus antigen), wherein the herpes virus antigen is present on the surface of a human cell that is latently infected with said herpes virus and supports the lytic phase of viral replication. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR of the invention, a genetically modified immune cell, preferably a T cell, expressing the CAR of the invention and the use of the cell in the treatment of a medical disorder associated with human herpesvirus, such as herpes virus-associated cancers, chronic active herpes virus infections or primary herpes virus infections.