Incidence and Pattern of Graft-versus-Host Disease in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Transplantation after Nonmyeloablative Conditioning with Total Lymphoid Irradiation and Antithymocyte Globulin

Nonmyeloablative (NMA) conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation and antithymocyte globulin (TLI/ATG) has been shown to protect against acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We report here our institutional experience with allogeneic transplantation following NMA conditioning with TLI/ATG (). GVHD prophylaxis consisted of a combination of a calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate mofetil. Median patient age was 59 years. The median followup of surviving patients is 545 days. One patient experienced primary graft rejection. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 18 days and platelet engraftment was 9.5 days. The cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II–IV acute GVHD at day +100 was 28.6% and 38.1% at day +180. The CI for grade III-IV acute GVHD was 28.6% at day +180. CI of chronic GVHD was 45.2% at 1 year. The CI of disease relapse was 9.5% at 1 year. The rate of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 0% at day +100 and only 9.5% at 1 year. The overall and progression free survival at 1 year was 81% and 80.4%, respectively. Our limited, retrospective data show encouraging relapse and NRM rates with TLI/ATG-based NMA conditioning, but with higher than previously reported rates of acute and chronic GVHD, underscoring the need for novel strategies designed to effectively prevent GVHD.

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Subcutaneous Alemtuzumab May Be Useful in the Treatment of Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.2983.2983 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 2983-2983

Author(s):

David Gomez-Almaguer ◽

Guillermo J. Ruiz-Arguelles ◽

Oscar Gonzalez-Llano ◽

Homero C. Gutierrez-Aguire ◽

Olga G. Cantu-Rodriguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Lymphocytes ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Allogeneic Transplantation ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Steroid Refractory ◽

Acute Graft

Abstract Background: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is mediated by activated T lymphocytes. Alemtuzumab is an unconjugated, humanized IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody which targets the CD52 antigen on T lymphocytes and other cells and has been used successfully in conditioning regimens for allogeneic transplantation to remove donor T cells so as to prevent GvHD. Patients and methods: Eighteen patients with steroid-refractory acute GvHD ≥ grade II were analyzed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of alemtuzumab. The patients received subcutaneous alemtuzumab 10 mg daily on days 1–5. The proportion of patients with grade II, III and IV were eight, eight and two, respectively. The main organ involved was the liver in four, gut in five, skin and liver in three, and skin and gut in three patients. Results: Fifteen out of 18 patients (83%) responded to alemtuzumab with 6 (33%) complete and 9 (50%) partial responses. All three unresponsive patients died of GvHD. Ten of 15 responders are alive at a median follow-up of 9 months (range 2–23) after alemtuzumab, with limited, extensive and no signs of chronic GvHD in 1, 4, and 5 patients, respectively. Fourteen patients (78%) developed some kind of infection; eleven of them developed cytomegalovirus reactivation. All patients tolerated alemtuzumab with minimal side effects; grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in six and four patients, respectively. Conclusions: Alemtuzumab is a well tolerated agent and has a beneficial effect in the treatment of steroid-refractory acute GvHD. Infections are common and anti-infective prophylaxis is mandatory.

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Acute and chronic graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplant

JBMTCT ◽

10.46765/2675-374x.2020v1n1p53-66 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 53-66

Author(s):

Vaneuza A. M. Funke ◽

Maria Claudia Rodrigues Moreira ◽

Afonso Celso Vigorito

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Primary Therapy ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host

Graft versus host disease is one of the main complications of Hematopoietic stem cell, involving about 50% to 80% of the patients. Acute GVHD clinical manifestations and therapy is discussed, as well as new NIH criteria for the diagnosis and classification of chronic GVHD. Therapy for both refractory chronic and acute GVHD is an important field of discussion once there is no superiority for the majority of the agents after primary therapy has failed. Hence, this review is meant to be a useful tool of consultation for clinicians who are dealing with this complex complication.

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The role of antigen-presenting cells in triggering graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2006-12-022038 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (1) ◽

pp. 9-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 108

Author(s):

Ronjon Chakraverty ◽

Megan Sykes

Keyword(s):

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Graft Versus Leukemia ◽

Donor T Cells ◽

Antigen Presenting

After allogeneic blood or bone marrow transplantation, donor T cells interact with a distorted antigen-presenting cell (APC) environment in which some, but not all, host APCs are replaced by APCs from the donor. Significantly, host APCs are required for the priming of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Donor APCs play a lesser role in the induction of acute GVHD despite their predicted capacity to cross-present host antigens. In contrast, donor APCs may play a role in perpetuating the tissue injury observed in chronic GVHD. Host APCs are also required for maximal graft-versus-leukemia responses. Recent studies have suggested potential strategies by which the continued presence of host APCs can be exploited to prime strong donor immunity to tumors without the induction of GVHD.

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Influence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease on relapse and survival after bone marrow transplantation from HLA-identical siblings as treatment of acute and chronic leukemia [published erratum appears in Blood 1989 Aug 15;74(3):1180]

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v73.6.1720.1720 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 73 (6) ◽

pp. 1720-1728 ◽

Cited By ~ 430

Author(s):

KM Sullivan ◽

PL Weiden ◽

R Storb ◽

RP Witherspoon ◽

A Fefer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Marrow Transplantation ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Blast Crisis ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Chronic Phase ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Myelogenous Leukemia ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host

Abstract To assess the influence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) on recurrent leukemia and survival after allogeneic marrow transplantation, we studied 1,202 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANL), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) given unmodified marrow grafts from HLA- identical siblings. Proportional hazards regression models using acute GVHD and chronic GVHD as time-dependent covariates demonstrated a significant association of GVHD with a decreased relative risk (RR, 0.33 to 0.42) of relapse in patients with ANL, ALL, and CML transplanted in advanced disease. Among patients developing either acute or chronic GVHD, treatment failure (that is, mortality or relapse) was decreased in patients with ALL transplanted in relapse (RR = 0.70, P less than .033) and CML in blast crisis (RR = 0.37, P less than .009). This effect was independent of age, sex, preparative regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, or length of follow-up. Five-year actuarial estimates were derived for the subset of 657 patients who survived in remission 150 days after transplant and were at risk for development of chronic GVHD. Among patients with ANL in first remission or CML in chronic phase, GVHD had an adverse effect on survival and no apparent influence on relapse. Among patients with ANL and ALL transplanted in relapse, the probability of relapse after day 150 was 74% without [corrected] GVHD, 45% with acute and chronic GVHD, 35% with [corrected] only acute GVHD, and 34% with only chronic GVHD (P less than .001). Actuarial survival in these four GVHD groups was 25%, 34%, 59%, and 62%, respectively (P less than .009). Among patients with CML in acceleration or blast crisis, the probability of relapse after day 150 was 65% without GVHD and 36% with acute and/or chronic GVHD (P less than .017). We conclude that acute and chronic GVHD were associated with a durable antileukemic effect and improved survival in patients transplanted in advanced stages of ALL and CML.

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Adult Recipients of Matched Related Donor Blood Cell Transplants (BCT) Given Pretransplant Low-Dose Antithymocyte Globulin (ATG) Have Less Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (cGVHD) and Transplant-Related Mortality (TRM): A Matched Pair Analysis.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.2250.2250 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 2250-2250

Author(s):

James A. Russell ◽

A. Robert Turner ◽

Loree Larratt ◽

Ahsan M. Chaudhry ◽

Oluyeme Jeje ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Cell ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Antithymocyte Globulin ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Not Given ◽

Free Survival ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Related Donor ◽

Related Mortality

Abstract Because pretransplant antithymocyte globulin (ATG) seems to reduce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and transplant-related mortality (TRM) after unrelated donor bone marrow transplant (BMT) we have investigated this agent in matched related donor (MRD) blood cell transplant (BCT). Of 82 adults receiving myeloablative conditioning and first MRD BCT between 01/99 and 05/02, 54 were matched for disease and stage with 54 patients (pts) not given ATG between 12/94 and 11/98. Median age was 42 (range 18 – 63) for ATG pts and 41 (range 22 – 54) for controls. Included in each group were 22 standard-risk pts (16 AML CR1, 6 ALL CR1), and 14 with high-risk acute leukemia of whom 12 had active AML (7 arising from MDS, 3 induction failures, 1 refractory, 1 relapse), and 2 ALL (1 refractory, 1 relapse). An additional 18 pts included 2 AML CR2, 1 ALL CR2, 2 CML AP/CP2, 2 MM, 8 relapsed/refractory NHL (2 mantle cell, 4 low, 1 intermediate, 1 high-grade) and 3 relapsed/refractory CLL. More control pts had conditioning incorporating TBI (32 vs 11, p<0.0001). All pts were given cyclosporine A and “short course” methotrexate with folinic acid. The study group received Thymoglobulin (Genzyme) (ATG) 4.5 mg/kg in divided doses over 3 consecutive days pretransplant finishing D0. ATG recipients were followed for 22 to 62 months (median 46) and control patients for 65–112 months (median 84). The actuarial incidence of acute GVHD grades II – IV was 25±6% in ATG recipients compared with 37±7% in the controls (p = ns). The figures for grade III – IV disease were 13±5% and 20±7% respectively (p = ns). Incidence of cGVHD at two years was 40±7% with ATG vs 97±3% without ATG (p < 0.0001), figures for extensive disease were 32±7% and 94±3% respectively (p < 0.0001). Sites of involvement by cGVHD were similar apart from gastrointestinal disease which was relatively more frequent in those ATG recipients who developed cGVHD (26% vs 5%, p = 0.03). Non-relapse mortality with and without ATG respectively was 4±3% vs 17±5% at 100 days and 9±4% vs 32±7% at 2 years (p = 0.004). Deaths were GVHD related in 3 ATG treated patients vs 13 controls (p=0.01). In the control group 2 year TRM was 26±8% in 32 TBI recipients compared with 42±11% in 22 patients not given TBI (p = ns). Relapse rate at 2 years was 36±7% for ATG recipients and 23±7% in controls (p = 0.06). Six of 21 relapsing patients in the ATG group survive having achieved another remission (4) or disease stabilization (2) after more treatment. One of 12 control patients who relapsed is currently alive in remission after a second BCT. Survival at 2 years was 70±6% in the patients given ATG vs. 54±7% in the controls (p=0.08) and progression-free survival was 57±7% vs 52±7% respectively. This study indicates that MRD BCT recipients given pretransplant ATG experience less cGVHD, less overall TRM and lower mortality related to both acute and chronic GVHD. These findings are not due to more control pts receiving TBI. Despite a trend to more relapse progression-free survival is unaffected, there is a trend to improved survival and presumably quality of life is generally better in ATG recipients because fewer of them have cGVHD.

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High Levels of Donor Chimerism Early after Non-Myeloablative Transplantation Predictive of Overall and Progression Free Survival but Not Risk of Acute Graft Versus Host Disease for Patients with AML or MDS.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.185.185 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 185-185

Author(s):

Edwin P. Alyea ◽

Shuli Li ◽

Haesook Kim ◽

Vincent T. Ho ◽

Corey Cutler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Early Stage ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Free Survival ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Donor Chimerism ◽

The Impact

Abstract Non-myeloablative (NST) transplantation is increasingly used in the treatment of patients with AML and MDS who are not candidates for myeloblative transplant. Relapse of disease remains a major cause of treatment failure after NST. Predictive factors to identify patients at high risk of relapse are needed to identify patients who would benefit from additional interventions. Attainment of a high degree of donor engraftment achieved early after transplantation may indicate the presence of a more significant allo-immune effect. We have performed a retrospective analysis of 64 patients with AML and MDS receiving NST, assessing the impact of donor chimerism when measured early after transplantation on outcome. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) were compared for patients achieving ≥90 % or <90% donor derived hematopoiesis when measured 1 month after transplant. All patients received fludarabine 30 mg/m2/day x 4 days and intravenous busulfan (Busulfex)0.8 mg/kg/day x 4 days for conditioning. All patients received calcineurin-inhibitor based GVHD prophylaxis. All patients received PBSC with G-CSF at 5 mcg/kg beginning day 1 after transplantation. Chimerism was measured using FISH for sex mismatched patient donor pairs or by STR analysis. 37 patients had ≥90% donor derived hematopoiesis, 27 patients had <90% donor derived hematopoiesis after transplantation. The two groups had similar characteristics with a median age of 57 yrs (range 21–70) for patients ≥90% and 58 yrs (range 32–69) for patients <90%. Of patients achieving ≥90%, 23 patients had AML and 14 MDS. Of patients <90%, 13 had AML and 14 with MDS. 7 of 16 (44%) patients with early stage disease(AML in CR1 or early stage MDS) achieved ≥90% donor hematopoiesis, while 30 of 48 (63%) patients with advanced disease achieved ≥90%. 17 of 29 (59%) patients with unrelated donors achieved ≥90% donor derived hematopoiesis, while 20 of 33 (61%) patients with matched related donors achieved ≥90% donor derived hematopoiesis. 21 of 32 (66%) patients with donor-recipeint sex mismatch achieved ≥90% while 16 of 32 (50%) patients with same sex donors were ≥90%. The median follow-up for surviving patients achieving ≥90% donor chimerism was 12 months and 15 months for those <90%. Patients achieving ≥90% donor chimerism had a significantly improved 1-year (71% versus 41%) and 2-year (39% versus 19%) OS (p=0.05). Similarly, for patients achieving ≥90% donor chimerism, there was a trend toward an improved PFS at 1-year (49% versus 30%) and 2-years (32% versus 19%) (p=0.08). There was no difference in the risk of developing stage 2–4 acute GVHD, 19% for both patients above and below 90%. Achieving high levels of donor chimerism when measured early after NST predicts for an improved overall survival and there is a trend toward an improved progression free survival. This may represent the presence of an enhanced graft versus leukemia effect in these patients. The degree of donor chimerism does not predict the development of acute GVHD. These results suggest that patients with <90% donor derived hematopoiesis may be candidates for strategies to enhance donor chimerism.

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Graft Versus Host Disease Prophylaxis with Everolimus and Tacrolimus in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Receiving Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PBSCT).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.2886.2886 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 2886-2886 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Uwe Platzbecker ◽

Caroline Pabst ◽

Alexander Kiani ◽

Johannes Schetelig ◽

Martin Wermke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

De Novo ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Unrelated Donor ◽

Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host

Abstract Introduction: The use of a calcineurin-inhibitor in combination with methotrexate is the current standard in the prophylaxis of graft versus host disease (GVHD). Everolimus is a newly developed m-TOR inhibitor, which, besides a potent immunosuppressive action including the stimulation of regulatory CD4+foxp3+ T-cells (Tregs), seems to mediate anti-neoplastic effects in MDS and AML. Methods: We report results of a prospective study investigating for the first time a combination of everolimus (days 0–56) with tacrolimus (starting day 0) in 16 patients with MDS (RCMD n=3, RAEB-1 n=3, RAEB-2 n=3, CMMOL-1 n=1, CMMOL-2 n=1, MDS/AML n=1) or de novo AML (n=4) undergoing allogeneic myeloablative conditioning (busulfan 16 mg/kg over 4 days, fludarabine 120 mg/m² over 4 days) followed by a median of 7.0 x 106/kg CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) from related (n=2) or unrelated donors (n=14). It is of note that 5 unrelated donor/recipient pairs displayed one allel-mismatch whereas all others were matched in 10 out 10 HLA characters. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 47–69) and the majority (n=7) of MDS patients were classified INT-2 or HIGH according to IPSS. Results: All patients engrafted a median of 14 days (platelets) and 17 days (neutrophils) after transplant. On day 21 and 56 after PBSCT the median number of CD4+foxp3+ cells in the blood was not significantly different from normal donors (patients, n=5: 3.2 and 2.3 x 104/ul, controls n=4: 3.7 x 104/ul) Nevertheless, the rate of acute GVHD was moderate with five patients (31 %) developing acute GVHD grade II and only one patient experiencing grade IV GVHD after cessation of immunosuppression due to thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Decrease of thrombocytes together clinical signs of TTP were seen in two additional patients while four patients developed VOD of the liver, which was fatal in one case. Extensive chronic GVHD was seen in 50 % of evaluable patients. Mucositis CTC grade III was observed in 5 patients only. The total day 100 mortality rate was 19 % and currently eleven out of sixteen patients (69%) are alive and in remission. Conclusion: Everolimus and tacrolimus are highly efficient in preventing GVHD after unrelated PBSCT in older patients with MDS and AML, which seems not to be mediated by an increase in Tregs. Nevertheless, side effects associated with thrombotic microangiopathy might be more prevalent compared to other regimens.

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Serious Acute or Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Comparison of Myeloablative and Non-Myeloablative Conditioning Regimens.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.755.755 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 755-755

Author(s):

Olga Sala-Torra ◽

Paul J. Martin ◽

Barry Storer ◽

Mohamed Sorror ◽

Rainer F. Storb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Transplantation ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Co Morbidity

Abstract We have previously described serious graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) as a highly undesirable outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Serious GVHD encompasses death, lengthy hospitalization, major disability, or recurrent major infections related to either acute or chronic GVHD. In a previous study, we found a 25% incidence of serious GVHD among 171 consecutive patients who had HCT after non-myeloablative (NMA) conditioning between January 1998 and May 2002. To put this observation into perspective, we applied the same criteria for serious GVHD in a cohort of 264 consecutive patients who had HCT after myeloablative (MA) conditioning during the same period of time and compared results with those of the previous study. The overall incidence of serious GVHD was 17% (44/264) in the MA group, compared to 25% (43/171) in the NMA group. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of grades III–IV GVHD, extensive chronic GVHD or nonrelapse mortality between the two groups (Table). Patients in the NMA group were older and had higher comorbidity scores than those in the MA group. In the univariate analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) of serious GVHD for the NMA group compared to the MA group was 1.71 (95% C.I., 1.1–2.6) (p = 0.01). After adjusting for patient age, patient and donor gender, donor type, HLA-mismatch, aggressive versus indolent malignancy at HCT, remission versus relapse at HCT, myeloid versus non–myeloid malignancy, HCT co–morbidity index, and prior donor lymphocyte infusion, the HR of serious GVHD was 1.50 (95% C.I., 0.8–2.7) (p = 0.17). After censoring for recurrent or progressive malignancy after HCT, the cumulative incidence of serious GVHD at 3 years was 21% for the NMA group and 14% for the MA group, and the HR was 1.33 (95% C.I., 0.7–2.6) (p = 0.40). Reasons for categorization of GVHD as serious (i.e., death, lengthy hospitalization, major disability, or recurrent major infections) were similar between the MA and NMA cohorts. Among the 44 patients with serious GVHD in the MA group, 19 (43%) had serious acute GVHD, and 25 (57%) had serious chronic GVHD. Among the 43 patients with serious GVHD in the NMA group, 20 (46%) had serious acute GVHD, and 30 (70%) had serious chronic GVHD. Among the 264 MA patients, 28 (11%) had grade III–IV acute GVHD and 147 (56%) had extensive chronic GVHD that did not meet the criteria for serious GVHD, compared to 7 (4%) and 84 (49%) of the 171 NMA patients, respectively. We conclude that the type of pretransplant conditioning regimen does not have a large effect on the incidence of serious GVHD after HCT. Assessment of serious GVHD provides additional useful information to acute GVHD grades and the classification of limited and extensive chronic GVHD in describing overall GVHD-related outcomes after HCT. MA NMA Outcome, n (%) n = 264 n = 171 Serious GVHD 44 (17) 43 (25) Grades III–IV acute GVHD 54 (20) 27 (16) Extensive chronic GVHD 174 (66) 114 (68) 2-year nonrelapse mortality 66 (25) 43 (25)

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Severe Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.5304.5304 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 5304-5304 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Katarina Le Blanc ◽

Francesco Frassoni ◽

Lynne Ball ◽

Edoardo Lanino ◽

Berit Sundberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Third Party ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Acute Graft

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from adult bone marrow have the capacity to differentiate into several mesenchymal tissues and inhibit T-cell alloreactivity in vitro. Within the EBMT MSC expansion consortium we have used MSC to treat grades III–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in 40 patients. The MSC dose was median 1.0 (range 0.4–9) 10^6 cells/kg body weight of the recipient. No side-effects were seen after MSC infusions. Nineteen patients received one dose, 19 patients received two doses, two patients received three and five doses respectively. MSC donors were in five cases HLA-identical sibling donors, 19 haploidentical donors and 41 third-party HLA-mismatched donors. Among the 40 patients treated for severe acute GvHD, 19 had complete responses, nine showed improvement, seven patients did not respond, four had stable disease and one patient was not evaluated due to short follow-up. Twenty-one patients are alive between six weeks up to 3.5 years after transplantation. Nine of these patients have extensive chronic GvHD. One patient with ALL has recurrent leukaemia and one patient has denovo AML of recipient origin. We conclude that MSC have immunomodulatory and tissue repairing effects and should be further explored as treatment of severe acute GvHD in prospective randomized trials.

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Refractory Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.4968.4968 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 4968-4968

Author(s):

Weng Jianyu ◽

Xin Du ◽

Xiang Peng ◽

Zhang Xiumin ◽

Suijin Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Acute Gvhd ◽

Chronic Gvhd ◽

Immunosuppressive Agents ◽

Steroid Resistant ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host

Abstract Refractory extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) is associated with high mortality [Margolis J., SeminOncol 2000].However, conventional therapies including steroids are often unsuccessful in those patients with multiorgan involvement and are associated with significant therapy-related complications and poorly life quality. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory effects [Tse WT et al., Transplantation 2003; Spees JI et al.,Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2003]. Recently MSCs have been given intravenously to treat seven steroid resistant acute GVHD patients and one patient with chronic GVHD. MSCs effects in chronic GVHD is rarely known, although this successfully experience suggests that MSCs have been well tolerated and had a powerful immunosuppressive effects on acute GVHD. [Katarina Le Blanc et al., Lancet 2004; Olle Ringden., Transplantation 2006 ]. Here, we present our experience of using MSCs for treatment of Thirteen patients with refractory chronic GVHD. Between May 2005 and March 2007, thirteen patients (8 male, 5female) with hematological malignancies with a median age of 26(range:15 to 40) years who had received peripheral stem cells from sibling donors. All patients developed steroid resistant or extensive chronic GVHD, with progressive involvement of the skin(13), liver(10), oral mucosa(12),ocular glands(12), and thrombocytopenia (1) when the immunosuppressive agents were taped after five to twenty-four months. The MSC dose was median 1.0 ×106 cells/kg body weight of the recipient. In all, thirteen patients had at least received one dose, seven patients received more than two doses. MSC donors were in seven cases HLA-identical siblings, six unrelated mismatched donors. No side-effects were seen after MSCs infusions. All patients have responded after follow-up of the median time 15 months. One patient with moderate cGVHD had a complete responses, and discontinued all of the immunosuppressive agents without relapse more than 18.4 months after MSC infusion. Three moderate and two patients with severe chronic GVHD improved to mild degree, and six severe turned to moderate degree. Complete resolution was seen in gut(2/3), liver(5/10), skin(5/13), oral(6/12) and eye(2/12). One patient responded in skin, liver, oral mucose and eye, but developed in lung (bronchiolitis obliterans, BO) score of 2 which are considered severe chronic GVHD. Mean follow-up periods was 27m (rang: 14 to48m), Leukemia free survival(LFS)rate were 85%(11/13), and the overall survival (OS)rate were 92.3%(12/13). Our experience suggests that MSC infusion is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for refractory extensive chronic GVHD with resistance to conventional therapy. But more prospective, controlled studies with MSCs for treatment of GVHD should be performanced to evaluate this new treatment exactly.

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