Pharmacologic prophylaxis regimens for acute graft-versus-host disease: past, present and future

Abstract

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has compromised and continues to compromise the benefits associated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant to cure malignant and non-malignant diseases. Pharmacologic interventions to prevent GVHD have emerged as a major objective of research in the immunology and transplant fields. A better understanding of the pathobiology behind the GVHD process has led the way to novel approaches and medications. Here we review the present arsenal of medications used to prevent GVHD, focusing on past experience and the current evidence, and discuss future potential targets.

Keywords::

• GVHD
• allogeneic transplant
• prophylaxis

Potential conflict of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The authors are grateful for research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, grants CA 78902, CA 18029 and CA 15704.