Mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of steroid refractory graft versus host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is one of serious complications in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represents a promising method for the treatment of severe steroid refractory GVHD.

We present the data from an interim analysis of clinical trial, within which we applied MSC in 28 patients with acute or chronic GVHD after allogeneic transplantation. Our experience with the treatment of GVHD using MSC confirmed the safety of this immunotherapy.

The favourable clinical effect with reduction of severity of GVHD and steroids dose was observed, especially in patients with acute form of GVHD.