Mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of steroid refractory graft versus host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation - a clinical trial
Abstract
The authors present the interim results of an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the treatment of steroid-refractory graft versus host (GVHD) with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). 28 patients with various hematological malignancies were treated with an infusion of MSC with a median of 6 months after allogeneic transplant. Both clinical and laboratory responses were analyzed as well as the safety of the treatment.
The clinical response was obtained mainly in patients with acute GVHD, chronic GVHD was more often stabilized only. All patients benefited from the reduction of corticosteroids dose.
Laboratory monitoring demonstrated changes in the kinetics of some lymphocyte subpopulations (B-lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells, Th17 lymphocytes) and changes in the levels of some proinflammatory cytokines. The current experience has confirmed the safety and promising clinical effect of this immunotherapy in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant.