CD25单抗在无血缘关系造血干细胞移植中的作用研究

目的探讨CD25单抗在无血缘关系造血干细胞移植(UHSCT)中对干细胞植入和移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的作用.方法 27例UHCST中,移植后1、 4 d 给予CD25单抗 1 mg/kg.结果27例中,除1例早期死亡外,26例患者造血全部重建.17例发生急性GVHD,其中Ⅱ度以上急性GVHD 6例(23%).复发3例,严重感染3例.26例可评价患者中,19例无病生存(73%).结论CD25单抗在UHSCT中对保证干细胞植入和预防GVHD有肯定的作用,白血病复发并不增加.此研究为UHCST和HLA不合的造血干细胞移植提供一个可选择的途径.     

CD25单抗在无血缘关系造血干细胞移植中的作用研究

目的探讨CD25单抗在无血缘关系造血干细胞移植(UHSCT)中对干细胞植入和移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的作用。方法27例UHCST中,移植后1、4 d给予CD25单抗1 mg/kg。结果27例中,除1例早期死亡外,26例患者造血全部重建。17例发生急性GVHD,其中Ⅱ度以上急性GVHD 6例(23%)。复发3例,严重感染3例。26例可评价患者中,19例无病生存(73%)。结论CD25单抗在UHSCT中对保证干细胞植入和预防GVHD有肯定的作用,白血病复发并不增加。此研究为UHCST和HLA不合的造血干细胞移植提供一个可选择的途径。     

异基因外周血造血干细胞移植治疗急性白血病(附1例报告)

目的 :探索异基因外周血造血干细胞移植 (allo PBSCT)治疗急性白血病的疗效和移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的防治。方法 :急性淋巴细胞白血病 (ALL )患者 1例 ,HLA配型完全相合。预处理采用白消安、环磷酰胺(BU/CTX )方案 ;GVHD的预防采用常规环胞菌素A(CsA)加短程甲氨蝶呤 (MTX)加霉酚酸酯 (MMF)方案。治疗慢性GVHD(cGVHD)采用MMF加CsA加硫唑嘌呤 (6 mp)加泼尼松加酞咪哌啶酮 (反应停 ,Thalidomide)。移植有核细胞数 (NC)为 12 .32× 10 8/kg ,CD34+ 细胞为 14 .78× 10 6/kg。结果 :移植 +13d获造血重建 ,同时DNA指纹图提示供者型。移植 +2 2d检测染色体核型为 4 6 ,XX ,10 0 %嵌合。移植 +98d血型由B型转变为A型。移植 +2 10d发生cGVHD ,随访 19个月 ,cGVHD已控制 ,患者现无病生存。结论 :异基因外周血造血干细胞移植可有效治疗急性白血病 ,本例造血重建迅速 ,cGVHD通过治疗后可有效控制     

CD34~+ CD38~-细胞对异基因造血干细胞移植的影响研究

目的观察CD34+CD38-细胞对异基因造血干细胞移植术后造血重建和移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的影响。方法分析2004年1月至2009年12月河南省人民医院血液科全相合异基因外周血干细胞造血干细胞移植78例,CD34+、CD34+CD38-细胞输入量与血缘全相合异基因外周血造血干细胞移植术后造血重建及GVHD发生率间的相关性。结果粒细胞、血小板恢复时间与CD34+CD38-细胞输入量呈负相关(r分别为-0.521、-0.448,P<0.01),与CD34+细胞输入量也呈负相关(r分别为-0.405、-0.371,P<0.05)。急性GVHD、慢性GVHD的发生与CD34+、CD34+CD38-、CD3+、CD4+、CD8+细胞输入量无相关性。结论输入高数量的CD34+CD38-细胞有利于移植术后的粒细胞、血小板快速恢复;对于预测术后造血恢复,CD34+CD38-细胞亚群输入量可能优于CD34+细胞总数。     

非血缘造血干细胞移植不同移植物抗宿主病预防方案的疗效比较

目的:比较2种移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)预防方案在非血缘造血干细胞移植中的疗效.方法:40例接受非血缘造血干细胞移植患者分成2组.单抗组:27例患者接受环孢素A(CsA)加霉酚酸酯(MMF)加甲氨喋呤(MTX)加抗人胸腺细胞球蛋白(ATG) 加CD25单抗预防GVHD;ATG组:13例患者接受CsA加MMF加MTX加A...     

减低剂量预处理对异基因造血干细胞移植治疗恶性血液病疗效观察

目的:探讨应用减低剂量的氟达拉宾、白消安和环磷酰胺(FBC)方案预处理对异基因造血干细胞移植(alloHSCT)治疗恶性血液病疗效的影响。方法:19例恶性血液病患者移植前进行减低剂量的FBC预处理。采用磷酸氟达拉宾(Flud)30mg/m2·d-1静脉滴注5d。白消安(Bu)0.6mg/kg、4次/d,共3d。环磷酰胺(CTX)30mg/kg·d-1静脉滴注,共2d,随后施行HLA配型的同胞或父亲供者的造血干细胞移植。术后采用环孢素及霉酚酸酯预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)。结果:全部患者的造血功能均获得快速重建。白细胞升至1.0×109/L以上,中位时间为(11.4±4.6)d。中性粒细胞升至0.5×109/L以上,中位时间为(11.9±6.7)d;血小板升至20×109/L以上,中位时间为(12.2±3.5)d。供者细胞完全植入15例,混合嵌合性植入4例,1例出现宿主排斥移植物(HVG)反应,进行供者淋巴细胞输注(DLI)2次后,达到完全供者嵌合。11例出现急性GVHD(57.89%),7例出现慢性GVHD(36.83%),2例HLA配型不完全相合者死于急性GVHD。结论:减毒的FBC预处理方案allo-HSCT治疗恶性血液病疗效肯定,并发症少,是治疗恶性血液病的有效方法。     

供体CD+4CD+25T细胞及调控基因FOXP3在急性移植物抗宿主病中的作用

目的 探讨供体CD+4CD+25T细胞亚群、FOXP3调控基因的表达与受者移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的相关性.方法 (1)30例异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT),采用免疫荧光标记和流式细胞术检测并比较供体粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)动员前外周血、动员后采集物CD+4CD+25T细胞亚群比例,随访异基因移植后GVHD的发生率和严重程度.(2)应用RT-PCR技术检测供体FOXP3基因表达情况,分析其与GVHD、疾病复发的相关性.结果 (1)所有患者均获造血重建,粒细胞绝对数(ANC)≥0.5×109/L的中位时间为14(12～15)d,PLT≥20×109/L为18(15～25)d.30例allo-HSCT,中位随访时间12.8(8～16)个月,Ⅰ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD分别为3、4、3、5例.慢性GVHD 6例.(2)供体G-CSF动员前外周血、动员后采集物CD+4CD+25T细胞亚群分别为(2.67±0.38)%、(5.01±1.33)%,两者相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(3)移植后无急性GVHD组、Ⅰ～Ⅱ度急性GVHD组、Ⅲ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD组供体CD+4CD+25T细胞亚群分别为(5.05±1.34)%、(4.17±1.73)%、(1.98±1.10)%.其中Ⅰ～Ⅱ度急性GVHD组与Ⅲ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD组相比差异有统计学意义(P=0.04),无急性GVHD组与Ⅲ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD组相比差异有统计学意义(P=0.002).(4)30例allo-HSCT,7例FOXP3基因表达阳性,5/7例移植后无急性GVHD,其中3例移植后复发,另2/7例移植后Ⅰ度急性GVHD,Ⅱ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD患者FOXP3均不表达.结论 (1)供体CD+4CD+25T细胞亚群比例与受者急性GVHD的发生具有一定的相关性,提高供体CD+4CD+25T细胞数量有望减低移植后急性GVHD发生率.(2)供体移植物FOXP3基因表达阳性,与移植后有无严重急性GVHD发生存在一定相关性.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗白血病76例临床观察

目的观察不同来源的异基因造血干细胞移植治疗白血病的疗效并探讨主要并发症的处理方案。方法对2001年9月至2007年3月第四军医大学西京医院血液科76例白血病患者行异基因造血干细胞移植治疗,其中慢性粒细胞白血病34例,急性髓性白血病24例,急性淋巴细胞白血病15例,T细胞淋巴瘤/白血病3例。人类白细胞抗原(HLA)全相合的同胞供者57例,1个HLA位点不合同胞供者3例,HLA单倍型半相合同胞供者7例,非血缘供者9例。预处理方案采用改良的马利兰联合环磷酰胺(BUCY)或改良的环磷酰胺联合全身放疗及阿糖胞苷或鬼臼乙叉甙(CyTBI Ara-c/VP-16)方案。采用标准的环孢素A(CsA)联合短期甲氨蝶呤(MTX)方案预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD);无关供者移植加用抗人胸腺细胞球蛋白,单倍型半相合移植同时加用CD25单克隆抗体。结果96.1%(73/76)获得植入。24.7%(18/73)出现急性GVHD,32.9%(24/73)出现慢性GVHD;合并重症肝静脉闭塞病2例;并发纯红细胞性再生障碍性贫血5例。随访3~72个月,现存活56.6%(43/76),43.4%(33/76)在移植后1~36个月时死亡,19例死于白血病复发,14例死于移植相关并发症。结论多种来源的异基因造血干细胞移植是治疗白血病的有效方法,于慢性粒细胞白血病慢性期、急性白血病缓解期移植效果较好,移植前处于高危难治状态的病例复发率仍较高。     

HLA不全相合外周血造血干细胞移植治疗急性白血病的临床观察

目的：探讨HLA不全相合外周血造血干细胞移植(PBSCT)治疗急性白血病(AL)的可行性。方法：应用HLA1个位点不合亲缘供体PBSCT治疗急性白血病2例，采用BUCY加ALG进行预处理，采用环孢素A、甲氨喋呤、霉酚酸酯和抗CD25单抗等联合预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)。结果：2例患者均获造血重建，并发Ⅱ度急性GVHD及局限性慢性GVHD。随访19个月均无病生存，恢复正常生活。结论：对缺乏HLA完全相合同胞供体的白血病患者，应用HLA不全相合的亲缘供体PBSCT治疗急性白血病具有一定的应用前景。     

减低剂量ATG在高危急性白血病HLA半相合造血干细胞移植中的应用观察

目的:观察减低剂量的兔抗人胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白(ATG)用于预防高危急性白血病HLA半相合造血干细胞移植后移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的疗效及其对移植后造血植入、疾病复发及患者生存的影响。方法:2010-05-2013-12我院血液内科收治的4例高危急性白血病患者在HLA半相合外周血造血干细胞移植中,采用减低剂量的ATG(3例总剂量7.5 mg/kg,1例8.75 mg/kg)联合环孢素A、短程甲氨蝶呤及霉酚酸酯预防GVHD,观察移植后造血重建、GVHD、出血性膀胱炎及病毒感染的发生情况以及移植后复发和总生存情况。结果:4例患者均获得造血重建,移植后3~4周检测供受者嵌合率均为100%,1例出现急性GVHD,2例出现慢性GVHD,3例移植后出现巨细胞病毒血症,1例出现EB病毒血症,1例出现移植后淋巴增殖性疾病,3例分别于移植后6、10及12个月复发,1例复发后行DLI获得二次缓解。1年、3年总生存率分别为75%和25%。结论:HLA半相合造血干细胞移植治疗高危急性白血病时减低剂量ATG可能对造血植入无影响,GVHD发生率未见显著增加,能否降低复发率尚需进一步扩大病例数进行观察。     

Basiliximab is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Basiliximab, a chimeric interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2-R) antagonist, was evaluated in 17 patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Patients were transplanted from a related (n = 6) or unrelated (n = 11) HLA-identical donor because of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 4), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 3), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 7), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 1), and multiple myeloma (n = 1). Basiliximab was given at a dose of 2 x 20 mg on 2 consecutive days after steroid-refractory acute GVHD had developed. Basiliximab was repeated on day 8 in cases of persistent GVHD. A median of four basiliximab infusions (range 1-12) were given to these patients. None had infusion-associated or cytokine-related side-effects after basiliximab. Twelve of 17 patients (71%) responded to basiliximab, 9/17 (53%) had a complete response (CR) of acute GVHD and 3/17 (18%) had a partial response (PR). Five of 17 patients (29%) did not respond. Chronic GVHD developed in 8/13 evaluable patients and only 2/8 had responded to basiliximab before. Five of 13 evaluable patients have no signs of chronic GVHD and all five had a CR or PR after basiliximab. This is the first report on the safety of basiliximab in patients with steroid-refractory acute GVHD. Our data suggest that basiliximab is effective in a substantial proportion of these patients.     

Therapy for severe refractory acute graft-versus-host disease with basiliximab, a selective interleukin-2 receptor antagonist

Basiliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to the alpha chain of IL-2R on activated cytotoxic T-cells, inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation. We report 34 patients with refractory acute GVHD (grade III-IV) who received basiliximab from December 1998 to October 2003. Adults received 40 mg weekly (2-3 doses) and children received half of this dose. Median age was 13 years. Twenty-five donors were unrelated. The stem cell source was bone marrow in 30 and cord blood in four. Complete responses were seen in 27/32 patients (84%) with skin, 12/25 (48%) with gut and 6/23 (26%) with liver GVHD. Median duration of response was 38 days (5-1103). Overall survival at 5 years was 20%. Eleven patients (32%) are alive. The main causes of death were CMV (n=4), fungus (n=6), sepsis (n=8), hemorrhage (n=2), and relapse (n=2). Graft-versus-host disease flares were observed in 14 patients (41%), half being rescued by other therapies. In conclusion, basiliximab was able to induce complete responses in patients with refractory acute GVHD. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the optimal treatment schedule.     

Efficacy of the interleukin-2 receptor antagonist basiliximab in steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) occurs in up to 80% of patients who undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and contributes significantly to transplant-related mortality (TRM). We conducted a prospective phase II trial to assess the efficacy and feasibility of treating steroid-refractory aGVHD with basiliximab, a chimaeric monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor. Basiliximab was administered intravenously at a dose of 20 mg on days 1 and 4. Twenty-three patients were enrolled between October 1999 and July 2004. We found a primary overall response rate of 82.5% with four patients (17.5%) showing a complete response and 15 patients (65%) a partial response. Six patients were again treated successfully with an IL-2 receptor antagonist because of recurrence of aGVHD. The rates of infections, chronic GVHD, malignancy recurrence and 1-year TRM following immunosuppression with basiliximab were comparable with those found with other treatment modalities for aGVHD. We conclude that basiliximab is efficient and feasible for steroid-refractory aGVHD and merits further evaluation.     

Acute graft-versus-host disease following unrelated donor marrow transplantation: failure of conventional therapy.

The response to therapy of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is uncertain in recipients of unrelated donor (URD) bone marrow transplant (BMT). We analysed the outcome of treatment in 42 patients with moderate/severe acute GVHD. Initial therapy consisted of prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally daily for 7 days (n = 42), followed by anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 15 mg/kg i.v. twice daily for 8-10 doses after prednisone failure (n = 22). A clinical Stage Score for acute GVHD was determined initially and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of prednisone or ATG. Treatment failure represented worsening score after 7 days, involvement of a new organ or failure to improve after 14-28 days. Prednisone treatment led to 10 of 41 (24%) patients improving, while secondary therapy with ATG led to four of 21 (19%) improving. Of 42 patients treated, only nine (21%) achieved a complete and continuing response of acute GVHD by day +100. Neither age, diagnosis, recipient/donor gender status, histocompatibility nor GVHD prophylaxis regimen was associated with more frequent responses. Response to GVHD therapy was significantly correlated with survival at 100 days and 1 year post-BMT. We conclude that prednisone and ATG used for treatment of acute GVHD following URD BMT are associated with a high failure rate and that more aggressive therapy is warranted in these patients.     

The toxicity and efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusions given after reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation

We describe the toxicity and efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) given to 81 patients (median age, 50 years) after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) transplantations performed at 16 centers in the United Kingdom. The diseases treated included non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL; n = 29), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; n = 12), myeloma (n = 11), acute myeloid leukemia (AML; n = 10), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; n = 9). Eighty-eight percent received stem cells from sibling donors. The patients received 130 infusions (median, 1; range, 1-4). Indications for DLI were unsatisfactory response/disease progression in 51 patients, mixed chimerism in 18, preemptive in 10, and other in 2. Graft hypoplasia was uncommon (11%). Grade II to IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 23 of 81 patients (28%) and limited and extensive chronic GVHD in 5 of 69 and 18 of 69 evaluable patients (total incidence 33%). Conversion from mixed to full donor chimerism occurred in 19 of 55 evaluable patients (35%) at a median of 48 days after the DLI; partial responses occurred in 6 patients (total response rate 45%). Eighteen of 51 (35%) patients with measurable disease after stem cell transplantation had a complete response (2 molecular), and 5 a partial response (total response rate 45%). Eleven of 17 evaluable complete responders had full donor chimerism. Eight of 13 patients with follicular NHL had complete responses as did 4 of 12 patients with CML. Clinical and chimeric responses correlated strongly with acute and chronic GVHD. Forty-seven patients (58%) survive at a median of 508 days after transplantation (range, 155-1171 days) with a median Karnofsky score of 90. Thirty-four patients (42%) died at a median of 211 days after transplantation with the major causes being progressive disease (26%) and GVHD (9%). Further systematic studies are required to determine the efficacy and optimum use of DLI for patients with each disease treated by nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation.     

Treatment of moderate/severe acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: an analysis of clinical risk features and outcome

We have analyzed the long term outcome of 197 patients who were treated for grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following histocompatible allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Of 469 recipients of sibling donor allografts performed at our center between January, 1979 and October, 1987, 197 patients (42%) developed greater than or equal to grade II acute GVHD at a median of 38 days (range 9 to 98 days) post-BMT. After treatment with corticosteroids (n = 160) or other immunosuppressive therapies (n = 37), 72 patients (41% +/- 8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]) achieved complete and continuing resolution of acute GVHD after a median of 21 days of therapy. Sixty-one patients required additional immunosuppressive therapy with high dose methylprednisolone, antithymocyte globulin (ATG)/steroids, or other therapies because of refractory or progressive symptoms of acute GVHD. Seven of these 61 patients eventually obtained complete and continuing remission after 13 to 57 days (median 50) of secondary treatment. The overall rate of chronic GVHD was 70% +/- 16%; 95% CI following grade II to IV acute GVHD. Twenty-five of the 197 patients never developed chronic GVHD, resulting in a Kaplan-Meier projection of 30% +/- 8% (95% CI) cure of moderate/severe acute GVHD. Analysis of clinical features associated with complete response (CR) to acute GVHD therapy identified more favorable responses to therapy in patients without either liver or skin involvement, patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and donor/recipient pairs other than male patients with female donors. Older recipient age was not associated with more resistance to GVHD treatment. CR to GVHD treatment was associated with significantly better 5-year survival: 51% +/- 14% versus 32% +/- 11% for patients with therapy resistant acute GVHD (P = .004). GVHD was a major contributing cause of death in 49 of the 90 patients who died and was often complicated by infection or interstitial pneumonitis. Control of acute GVHD through immunosuppressive therapy did not affect the risk of leukemic relapse after transplantation.     

Feasibility and response to budesonide as topical corticosteroid therapy for acute intestinal GVHD

Therapy of acute intestinal GVHD is still one of the main challenges after allogeneic transplantation. Increasing systemic immunosuppression (IS) is the first choice and includes corticosteroids and lymphocyte antibodies, often associated with severe side-effects. In inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, topical steroid therapy is used very successfully. Because of the similarity between these and acute intestinal GVHD we conducted a trial with oral budesonide (Budenofalk), a new topically active glucocorticoid, to treat patients with acute GVHD > or = grade II. After a diagnosis of aGVHD > or = grade II, 22 patients received increased IS, mainly systemic corticosteroids, and additionally budesonide 9 mg/day divided into three doses. Improvement in aGVHD, infectious side-effects, reduction of systemic IS and outcome were documented. Results were compared with the results of 19 control patients, who were treated only by increasing IS dose. In 17/22 patients (70%), treated with budesonide, the acute intestinal GVHD resolved and no relapse occurred after decreasing the systemic IS, while continuing budesonide. In only 8/19 patients in the control group did the acute intestinal GVHD resolve and 2/8 patients had a relapse of intestinal GVHD after decreasing IS, with an overall response of 33%. No severe intestinal infections occurred. We conclude that budesonide may be effective in acute intestinal GVHD as a topical corticosteroid and prospective, randomized studies should demonstrate its efficacy in allowing reduction of systemic immunosuppressive therapy, and its side-effects.     

Combination therapy with tacrolimus and anti-thymocyte globulin for the treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease developing during cyclosporine prophylaxis

We report our experience with the combination of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATGAM) and tacrolimus in the treatment of 20 patients with steroid refractory and dependent acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) transplanted between August 1996 and February 2000. All patients received cyclosporine-based GVHD prophylaxis. Thirteen patients developed a maximum of grade IV, five grade III and two grade II acute GVHD, with 15 patients being refractory to steroids and five dependent on steroids. Patients were treated with ATGAM (15 mg/kg for 5 d) and tacrolimus (0.025--0.1 mg/kg/d) in addition to continuation of their high-dose steroids and cessation of their cyclosporine. Within 28 d of treatment, we observed eight complete responses (CR), six partial responses (PR) and six with no response. Overall response (CR + PR) was predicted by GVHD severity. Infectious complications occurred in 80% of patients. The median survival was 86.5 d (range, 21--1081 d) with 35% of patients remaining alive. Survival following combination therapy was significantly more likely in men (P < 0.001), skin-only GVHD (P = 0.027), less severe GVHD (P = 0.048), and in responders to tacrolimus and ATGAM (P < 0.001). In conclusion, concurrent introduction of ATGAM and tacrolimus is a promising therapeutic combination for GVHD refractory to steroids and cyclosporine.     

Anti-interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody (BT 563) in the treatment of severe acute GVHD refractory to systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Fourteen patients with corticosteroid-resistant acute GVHD were treated with a murine monoclonal antibody to the pp55 interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (MoAb BT 563). Nine of the 14 patients had also failed Xoma-Zyme-H65 as GVHD prophylaxis and/or treatment. Seven patients had received HLA-matched sibling donor bone marrow transplants, five had received HLA-matched transplants from unrelated volunteer donors, and two had received one-antigen mismatched transplants from unrelated volunteer donors. At the time of MoAb BT 563 therapy, the overall clinical grading of acute GVHD (Seattle grading system) was as follows: grade II--one patient, grade III--four patients, and grade IV--nine patients. MoAb BT 563 was administered as a short iv infusion of 5 mg daily for 10 doses, followed by 5 mg on alternate days for a further five doses. A complete response (CR) was observed in four patients (28%), and a partial response (PR) in four patients (28%). All four complete responders were treated within 28 days of first onset of grade > or = II acute GVHD. Four patients (three CR, one PR) remain alive. One complete responder subsequently died from chronic GVHD. MoAb BT 563 administration was well tolerated in all 14 patients; no significant toxicity was observed. We conclude that MoAb BT 563 directed against the IL-2 receptor on activated T lymphocytes may be useful in treating corticosteroid-resistant acute GVHD if given early, but that it is of limited value in attempting to rescue patients with far-advanced refractory acute GVHD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A retrospective analysis of therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease: secondary treatment

We have reviewed results of secondary therapy in 427 patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who did not have a durable satisfactory response after primary treatment. At the beginning of secondary treatment, 320 patients (75%) had rash, 252 (59%) had liver dysfunction, and 228 (53%) had gut dysfunction. Secondary treatment was with glucocorticoids (n = 249), cyclosporine (n = 80), antithymocyte globulin (n = 114), or monoclonal antibody (n = 19) either singly (n = 390) or in combination (n = 37). Parameters of GVHD severity were recorded weekly, and responses were determined according to values at the initiation of tertiary treatment or, for patients without such treatment, using values on day 29 of secondary treatment or the last recorded values before death, whichever occurred first. Minimal criteria for improvement or deterioration were defined for each organ, but no attempt was made to define liver or gut outcome if another complication such as venocclusive disease or infectious enteritis was present. Improvement or resolution of GVHD in the respective organ was seen in 45% of patients with skin disease, 25% of patients with evaluable liver disease, and in 35% of patients with evaluable gut disease. Overall complete or partial responses were seen in 40% of patients. The highest complete response rate with secondary therapy (23%) was seen when GVHD recurred during the taper phase of primary glucocorticoid treatment and was managed by increasing the dose of glucocorticoids. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify patient, disease, or treatment factors associated with likelihood of complete response or overall improvement. A similar analysis was performed to identify covariates associated with time to treatment failure (defined as initiation of tertiary therapy or death not due to relapse of malignancy). Severe dysfunction in the skin, liver, and gut at the beginning of treatment was associated both with a decreased likelihood of complete response and an increased treatment failure rate. The times to treatment failure and the proportions of patients in various response categories were similar for primary and secondary treatment, suggesting that the potential efficacy of new immunosuppressive agents for treatment of acute GVHD can be assessed meaningfully in patients who have not responded adequately to initial therapy.