Mesenchymal stromal cells for steroid-refractory GvHD - laboratory response during a clinical trial

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are tested in many studies dealing with their regenerative or immunomodulatory potential. In our clinical trial we use their ability to reduce the symptoms of a steroid-refractory graft versus host disease (GVHD) which negatively affects quality of life after allogeneic stem cells transplant.

Our results indicate the influence of MSC on activated NK cells in acute GVHD and B-cells in chronic GVHD. The increase of dendritic cells (used as a marker of GvHD severity in many studies) correlated with good response to MSC and can be used as a biomarker for evaluation of this experimental treatment.