scholarly journals Mast Cell Involvement in Fibrosis in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2385
Author(s):  
Ethan Strattan ◽  
Gerhard Carl Hildebrandt
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Mast Cell ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Fibrotic Disease ◽  
Acute Leukemias ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is most commonly a treatment for inborn defects of hematopoiesis or acute leukemias. Widespread use of HSCT, a potentially curative therapy, is hampered by onset of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), classified as either acute or chronic GVHD. While the pathology of acute GVHD is better understood, factors driving GVHD at the cellular and molecular level are less clear. Mast cells are an arm of the immune system that are known for atopic disease. However, studies have demonstrated that they can play important roles in tissue homeostasis and wound healing, and mast cell dysregulation can lead to fibrotic disease. Interestingly, in chronic GVHD, aberrant wound healing mechanisms lead to pathological fibrosis, but the cellular etiology driving this is not well-understood, although some studies have implicated mast cells. Given this novel role, we here review the literature for studies of mast cell involvement in the context of chronic GVHD. While there are few publications on this topic, the papers excellently characterized a niche for mast cells in chronic GVHD. These findings may be extended to other fibrosing diseases in order to better target mast cells or their mediators for treatment of fibrotic disease.

Mast cells as mediators of fibrosis and effector cell recruitment in dermal chronic graft-versus-host disease.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7050-7050
Author(s):  
Ethan Strattan ◽  
Senthilnathan Palaniyandi ◽  
Reena Kumari ◽  
Jing Du ◽  
Timothy Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Malignant Neoplasms ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Murine Bone Marrow ◽  
Graft Versus Host

7050 Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with malignant neoplasms or inborn defects of hematopoiesis. Benefits of allo-HSCT are hampered by graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), which can be debilitating and potentially lethal. In chronic GVHD (cGVHD), inflammation and aberrant wound healing lead to pathological fibrosis across multiple organs, most frequently in the skin, yet the exact pathophysiology is not well-understood. Mast cells (MCs) are primarily known for their role in atopic disease. However, recent studies have demonstrated new roles for MCs, showing that they can be involved in wound healing and in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease. Given these new paradigms and the MC tropism to skin, alongside their reported role in other fibrotic diseases, we investigated whether MCs may play a role in the pathogenesis of dermal cGVHD. Methods: Cells: MCs were grown ex vivo from murine bone marrow. Transplant: 8 Gy radiation, followed by injection of LP/J marrow and splenocytes into C57BL/6J (WT) or B6.Cg-KitW-sh MC-deficient recipients. Results: Ex vivo, we show that MCs survive and are functional after lethal radiation, such as that used in conditioning prior to HCT. In a murine model of cGVHD WT mice had significantly more cGVHD symptoms than MC-deficient mice as measured by clinical scoring. This scoring correlated with a significant increase in skin pathology, collagen deposition, and expression of pro-fibrotic genes in WT as compared to B6.Cg-KitW-sh mice. Dermal MC numbers were increased in WT mice, but were nearly undetectable in B6.Cg-KitW-sh mice, implying that the MCs that are present were recipient-derived and had survived conditioning. Skin from WT but not B6.Cg-KitW-sh mice was enriched in cGVHD effector cells and in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Murine MCs, upon stimulation were sources of many of these factors, production of which was blocked when treated with ibrutinib and ruxolitinib, drugs used in cGVHD treatment. Conclusions: In summary, we show here a previously unknown role for MCs in the pathogenesis of dermal cGVHD, suggesting that MCs may be targetable to prevent and treat this devastating complication of allo HCT.

scholarly journals Mast cells are mediators of fibrosis and effector cell recruitment in dermal chronic graft-versus-host disease

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Strattan ◽  
Senthilnathan Palaniyandi ◽  
Reena Kumari ◽  
Jing Du ◽  
Natalya Hakim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cells ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Chemokine Production ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Graft Versus Host

AbstractAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is often used to treat acute leukemia or defects of hematopoiesis. Its widespread use is hampered by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which has high morbidity and mortality in both acute and chronic subtypes. Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) occurs most frequently in skin and often is characterized by pathogenic fibrosis. Mast cells (MCs) are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of other fibrotic diseases. In a murine model of cGVHD after allo-HSCT, C57BL/6J recipients of allogeneic LP/J donor cells develop sclerodermatous dermal cGVHD which is significantly decreased in mast cell-deficient B6.Cg-KitW-sh/HNihrJaeBsmGlliJ recipients. MCs survive conditioning and are associated with fibrosis, chemokine production, and recruitment of GVHD effector cells to the skin. Chemokine production by MCs is blocked by drugs used to treat cGVHD. The importance of MCs in skin cGVHD is mirrored by increased MCs in the skin of patients with dermal cGVHD. We show for the first time a role for MCs in skin cGVHD that may be targetable for preventive and therapeutic intervention in this disease.

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

JBMTCT ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Ruxolutinib in Steroid Refractory Graft Versus Host Disease (SR-GVHD): Systemic Literature Review

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5682-5682
Author(s):  
Mostafa F. Mohammed Saleh ◽  
Shahrukh K. Hashmi
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Steroid Refractory

Background: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients having undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). About 30-40% of patients have steroid‐refractory GVHD (SR‐GVHD) after the first‐line use of high doses of corticosteroids with a poor prognosis .Ruxolitinib is a promising treatment for SR-GVHD. However, data regarding optimum dosing, response rates and associated adverse events are scarce. Herein, we provide the first systemic review of literature for the use ruxolutinib in GVHD. Methods: A Medline (PubMed), google scholar, OVID and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews search using key words "Ruxolutinib and GVHD", "Ruxolutinib and SR-GVHD" was undertaken in June 2019. Only peer reviewed databases were searched and search was restricted to human studies of acute and chronic GVHD only. Results: 16 publications, as listed in Table 1. Only one was a prospective trial, all others were retrospective studies, case series (5), and case reports (2). Overall response, ranged 45% - 100%, complete response was noted in 5.2% -80% patients. Time to response was variable from 1-12 weeks. Cytopenias and infectious complications were frequently reported with dose reduction or interruptions needed in most studies. Maintained responses were reported in a small proportion after ruxolutinib discontinuation. Conclusion Ruxolutinib has promising efficacy in SR-GVHD , however cytopenias and infectious complications reported frequently mandate close monitoring. Results of ongoing prospective trials could provide answers for optimum dosing and response assessment, and management of related adverse events. Table Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Chronic graft versus host disease is associated with long-term risk for pneumococcal infections in recipients of bone marrow transplants

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 3683-3686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samar Kulkarni ◽  
Ray Powles ◽  
Jennie Treleaven ◽  
Unell Riley ◽  
Seema Singhal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Pneumococcal Infections ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Penicillin Prophylaxis

Abstract Incidences of and risk factors for Streptococcus pneumoniaesepsis (SPS) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were analyzed in 1329 patients treated at a single center between 1973 and 1997. SPS developed in 31 patients a median of 10 months after transplantation (range, 3 to 187 months). The infection was fatal in 7 patients. The probability of SPS developing at 5 and 10 years was 4% and 6%, respectively. Age, sex, diagnosis, and graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis did not influence the development of SPS. Allogeneic transplantation (10-year probability, 7% vs 3% for nonallogeneic transplants; P = .03) and chronic GVHD (10-year probability, 14% vs 4%; P = .002) were associated with significantly higher risk for SPS. All the episodes of SPS were seen in patients who had undergone allograft or total body irradiation (TBI) (31 of 1202 vs 0 of 127;P = .07). Eight patients were taking regular penicillin prophylaxis at the time of SPS, whereas 23 were not taking any prophylaxis. None of the 7 patients with fatal infections was taking prophylaxis for Pneumococcus. Pneumococcal bacteremia was associated with higher incidences of mortality (6 of 15 vs 1 of 16;P = .04). We conclude that there is a significant long-term risk for pneumococcal infection in patients who have undergone allograft transplantation, especially those with chronic GVHD. Patients who have undergone autograft transplantation after TBI-containing regimens also appear to be at increased risk. These patients should receive lifelong pneumococcus prophylaxis. Consistent with increasing resistance to penicillin, penicillin prophylaxis does not universally prevent SPS, though it may protect against fatal infections. Further studies are required to determine the optimum prophylactic strategy in patients at risk.

scholarly journals Adverse events in second- and third-line treatments for acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease: systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204062072097703
Author(s):  
Vladica M. Velickovic ◽  
Emily McIlwaine ◽  
Rongrong Zhang ◽  
Tim Spelman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Pharmaceutical Management ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Third Line

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is associated with an increased risk of graft- versus-host disease (GvHD), a strong prognostic predictor of early mortality within the first 2 years following allo-HSCT. The objective of this study was to describe the harm outcomes reported among patients receiving second- and third-line treatment as part of the management for GvHD via a systematic literature review. Methods: A total of 34 studies met the systematic review inclusion criteria, reporting adverse events (AEs) across 12 different second- and third-line therapies. Results: A total of 14 studies reported AEs across nine different therapies used in the treatment of acute GvHD (aGvHD), 17 studies reported AEs of eight different treatments for chronic GvHD (cGvHD) and 3 reported a mixed population. Infections were the AE reported most widely, followed by haematologic events and laboratory abnormalities. Reported infections per patient were lower under extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for aGvHD (0.267 infections per patient over 6 months) relative to any of the therapies studied (ranging from 0.853 infections per patient per 6 months under etanercept up to 1.998 infections per patient on inolimomab). Conclusion: The reported incidence of infectious AEs in aGvHD and grade 3–5 AEs in cGvHD was lower on ECP compared with pharmaceutical management.

scholarly journals Methotrexate for the Treatment of Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Nassar ◽  
Ghada Elgohary ◽  
Tusneem Elhassan ◽  
Zubeir Nurgat ◽  
Said Y. Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Corticosteroid Treatment ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Pooled Data

Glucocorticoids have been the primary treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) over the past decade. Complete responses to steroid therapy are usually expected in almost one-third of aGVHD cases and partial response is anticipated in another one-third of patients. However, for those patients not responding to corticosteroid treatment, there is no standard second-line therapy for acute or chronic GVHD. Methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of steroid refractory GVHD has been evaluated in a number of studies. Results from peer-reviewed original articles were identified and the pooled data analyzed. Despite several limitations in data collection and analysis, weekly administration of methotrexate at a median dose of 7.5 mg/m2seems to be safe with minimal toxicities in the context of both aGVHD and cGVHD treatments. The observed overall response (OR) in patients with aGVHD to MTX treatment in the published studies was 69.9%, with complete response (CR) in 59.2% and PR in 10.6%. In cGVHD the OR was 77.6%, with CR reported in 49.6% and PR in 28% of patients. Predictors of better responses were lower grade GVHD, cutaneous involvement, and isolated organ involvement. MTX as a steroid sparing agent might reduce long-term complications and improve the quality of life of GVHD affected individuals.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Approach of Multiple Candidate Pathways Predicting the Risk of Acute / Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease or Transplant Outcomes Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Potential Involvement of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NFKB), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) Pathway with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2221-2221
Author(s):  
Dong Hwan (Dennis) Kim ◽  
Jina Yun ◽  
Jee Hyun Kong ◽  
Chul Won Jung ◽  
Ahmed Galal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Acute Gvhd ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Cytokine Activation

Abstract Abstract 2221 Poster Board II-198 Background: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was known to be involved in the Th1 cytokine activation and alloreactive T-cell cytotoxicity, while the pathogenesis of chronic GVHD is yet revealed fully although in which Th2 cytokine activation or transforming growth factor (TGF) mediated pathway was suggested to be involved. The current study is a hypothesis generating study in order to identify potential predictive surrogate associated with the risk of acute or chronic GVHD in addition with transplant outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: The current study was performed to identify genetic surrogates predicting the risk of acute / chronic GVHD, relapse free survival, non-relapse mortality and overall survival in 394 pairs transplanted at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. In addition, the predictive markers for organ specific incidence of acute / chronic GVHD were also evaluated (i.e. for skin/liver/gut acute GVHD or skin, eye, oral, lung or liver chronic GVHD). Total of 261 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 56 genes were determined for donor/recipients' genotypes using MALDI-TOF based platform, involving in the pathways of 1) cytokines (i.e. IL1A, IL1B and its receptor, IL1R1, IL2 & IL2RA, IL4 & IL4R, IL6 & IL6R, IL8, IL10 & IL10RA, RB, IL12A/BandIL12RB1, IFNG & IFNGR1/2, TNFTI/II/II), 2) NFKB (NFKB1/2/A, NFKBIA/B, IKB, IKK1, IKBKB, RelB), 3) apoptosis (FAS, TRAIL & TRAILR1), 4) endothelium nitric oxide regulation (EDN1, NOS1/2A/3), 5) PDGF (PDGFB/C/D & PDGFRA/B), 6) TGF-β (TGFB1/2 & TGFBR1/2/3, TGFRB1), 7) Toll-like receptor (TLR4/5), 8) NOD2/CARD15 and 9) prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS1/2). The candidate genotypes have been selected by choosing the SNPs in non-synonymous SNPs in exon region with minor allele frequency of > 0.05 to 0.1. Results: Followings are the lists of recipients' and donors' genotypes with p-value<0.05 thus associating with clinical outcomes following allogeneic HSCT: In summary, the risk of chronic GVHD was significantly associated with SNP of the genes involved in the pathway of NFKB, PDGF, TGF-β, and some of cytokines (esp. type II, IL6 & IL4), while that of acute GVHD associates with the genotypes in the pathway of TNF and apoptosis. In addition, survival after allogeneic transplantation was associated with the genotypes in NOS (nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthesis pathway), IL-2 and TGF pathway. Conclusion: Because of complex nature of GVHD pathogenesis, multiple candidate pathway SNPs has been explored targeting SNPs in the pathway of cytokines, NFKB, apoptosis, endothelium nitric oxide regulation, NOD2/CARD15, PDGF, PTGS1/2, TGF-β and TLR. Different involvements were noted of TGF-β, PDGF or NFKB with chronic GVHD versus TNF and apoptosis-associated SNPs with acute GVHD. Further study will help us to reach more clear conclusion which genotype is the predictor of the risk of GVHD. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Incidence and Outcome of Auto/Alloimmune Hepatitis with Hepatic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4534-4534
Author(s):  
Michael Koldehoff ◽  
Ahmet H Elmaagacli ◽  
Reinhild Klein ◽  
Dietrich Beelen
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host

Abstract Abstract 4534 Auto/alloimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory liver disease characterized histological by a dense mononuclear cell infiltrate in the portal tract and serological by the presence of non-organ and liver-specific antibodies, high transaminases and increased levels of IgG. The relation between allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and auto/alloimmune disease is complex. To examine this association, we retrospectively studied 1,636 allogeneic patients (median age 43, range 18–73 years) between May 1996 and December 2008. Among these patients, 311 (19%) developed hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) (162 pts had a hepatic GvHD of grade > II). We followed 25 patients (11 male, 14 female) in whom GvHD of the liver presented with marked elevation of serum aminotransferases, clinically resembling acute hepatitis and auto/antibodies characteristics for AIH. The median age at transplant was 35 (range, 18–54) years. Onset of liver dysfunction was at 286 days (range, 55–2766) after HSCT. Median peak serum was 312 (range 105–1750) U/L for alanine aminotransferase, 629 (133-2410) U/L for gamma-glutamyl transferase and 1.74 (0.5-23.4) mg/dl for bilirubin. The autoantibody profiles of AIH were 60% for anti-nuclear antibody, 44% for antibodies to liver-kidney microsomes, 24% for antibodies to smooth-muscle antigens, 28% for anti-mitochondrial antibody, 16% for antibodies to actin, 8% for antibodies to nucleoli, and 4% for other autoantibodies. AIH had a higher prevalence in younger and in female patients. AIH occurred in 92% in patients, who were transplanted with G-CSF mobilized and peripherally collected stem cells (PSC), but in only 8% in patients with bone marrow (BM) source (p<0.02), comparing all transplanted patients (1326 PSC, 310 BM). Stem cell grafts from matched sibling donor or matched unrelated donor were similar in the two groups. Acute GvHD of grade> II occurred more frequently in the groups with AIH (15/25 vs. 649/1636, p<0.002), and chronic GvHD (11 limited, 14 extensive) was ascertained in all AIH patients vs. 49.8% in all transplanted patients (p<0.0001). Three patients with AIH died from pulmonary bleeding, chronic GvHD, and relapse, whereas 22 patients with AIH are still alive (88%) at a median survival time of 2570 days. In conclusion, our evaluation confirms a strong association between G-CSF mobilized PSC, chronic GvHD and the development of AIH. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Response to JAK 1/2 Inhibition in Patients with Corticosteroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3934-3934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Spoerl ◽  
Kristina Maas-Bauer ◽  
Mareike Verbeek ◽  
Petya Apostolova ◽  
Anna Lena Illert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Salvage Treatment ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Acute corticosteroid-refractory graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with reported mortality rates of 40-60%. Our previous study (Spoerl S et al. Blood 2014) had shown the induction of tolerogenic regulatory T cells after ruxolitinib treatment in the mouse and clinical responses in six patients with corticosteroid-refractory GvHD. Here we report the outcome of 14 patients with GvHD refractory to steroids and at least two other lines of treatment who received ruxolitinib as a salvage treatment. Ten patients were classified as acute and four as chronic GvHD involving the skin, intestinal tract and liver as detailed in Table 1. Patients were treated with ruxolitinib at a starting dose of 5 mg orally twice daily with a dose increase to 10 mg orally twice daily. Clinical and histopathological grading of skin, intestinal and liver GvHD was performed according to established criteria. Of 14 patients, 13 responded with respect to clinical GvHD symptoms and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Three patients with histologically proven acute skin or intestinal GvHD grade I, achieved a complete response. One non-responder discontinued ruxolitinib after one week because of lack of efficacy. In all other patients corticosteroids could be reduced after a median treatment of 1.5 weeks. Serum levels of IL-6 and soluble IL-2R were measured prior and after the start of ruxolitinib and declined in the majority of the analyzed patients (n=11). CMV reactivation was observed in four out of 14 patients and responded well to antiviral therapy. Two out of 14 patients developed cytopenia during ruxolitinib treatment that was mild and did not require dose reduction or transfusion. Our results indicate that treatment of corticosteroid-refractory GvHD with ruxolitinib is safe and well tolerated. Despite the low number of patients treated so far, our results demonstrate that ruxolitinib reduces the severity of corticosteroid-refractory GvHD and support further development of therapeutic JAK1/2 inhibition as a salvage treatment in GvHD. Table 1: GvHD and response to ruxolitinib Pt. no. 1 GvHD: organ/grade 2 Reduction of cortico-steroids after ruxolitinib Clinical response (PR / CR) 3 Time to response (weeks) Duration of response 4 / Current follow up (weeks) 5 01 Intestines / IV (acute) Yes CR 1 42 / 43 02 Skin / III (acute) Yes PR 1.5 46.5 / 48 03 Skin / IV liver / III (acute) Yes CR 1 57 / 58 04 Skin / III intestines / IV (acute) Yes PR 1.5 24.5 / 26 05 Skin / III (chronic) Yes PR 1 64 / 65 06 intestine/III-IV (acute) Yes PR 1 15 / 16 07 Skin/ III (chronic) Yes Response 1 46 / 47 08 Skin/ III (acute) Yes Response 1 2 / 3 09 Skin/ II intestine/II (chronic) Yes No response stopped after 1 week N/A N/A 10 Skin/ III liver/III (acute) Yes PR 1 1 / 2 11 intestines IV (acute) Yes PR 2 6 / 8 12 Skin/III (chronic) Yes Response 1 8 / 9 13 intestines/IV Skin/ II (late onset acute) Yes CR 1 17 / 18 14 intestines/IV Skin/ II (acute) Yes PR 1,5 3 / 4 1Pt.: patient, no: individual patient number, 2Acute and chronic GvHD were defined according to NIH criteria, 3PR: partial response, CR: complete response; 4Until last follow up, none of the patients experienced a relapse of GvHD. 5Follow up was calculated from the time of initiation of ruxolitinib treatment. In patient 01, ruxolitinib was discontinued at week 16 because of complete resolution of all GvHD signs. The patient did not develop any signs of GvHD after discontinuation of ruxolitinib until last follow up. Disclosures Off Label Use: Ruxolitinib in GvHD.

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