Experimental Pharmaceuticals for Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

  • J Exp Pharmacol. 2020 Nov 26;12:549-557. doi: 10.2147/JEP.S259290.
Sameem Abedin  1 ,  Mehdi Hamadani  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
PMID: 33273867 DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S259290
Abstract

Acute GVHD (aGVHD) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), occurring in up to 70% of HCT recipients. Steroid-refractory aGVHD represents a subset of patients failing initial therapy and is particularly morbid, with only 30% of patients surviving long term. Better therapies are urgently required for these patients. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the management of SR-aGVHD. We review the currently available therapies for SR-aGVHD including the results of the REACH1 and REACH2 trials, which provide the basis for the use of ruxolitinib for the treatment of SR-aGVHD. We additionally discuss newer agents under clinical investigation and will highlight the niche these agents may fill to further improve outcomes in aGVHD patient care.

Keywords
graft-vs-host disease; hematopoietic; ruxolitinib; stem cell transplantation; steroid refractory.
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