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Denk A, Mittermaier C, Weber D, Fante M, Güneş S, Edinger M, Herr W, Wolff D. Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: a retrospective analysis. Ann Hematol 2024:10.1007/s00277-024-05697-w. [PMID: 38916742 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with ruxolitinib being the first drug approved for its treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib for treatment of cGvHD at our center between 07/2015 and 12/2022 and identified 48 patients receiving ruxolitinib as second (18/48) or advanced (30/48) treatment line. Ruxolitinib was started on median day 340 (range 119-595) after cGvHD onset; median duration of administration was 176 (range, 79-294) days with 16/48 patients continuing treatment at last follow-up. National Institutes of Health organ grading and the intensity of immunosuppression were assessed at the start of ruxolitinib treatment and repeated after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Response assessment was terminated at the start of any additional new immunosuppressant treatment. The median time of follow-up was 582 (range, 104-1161) days. At the primary analysis after six months on ruxolitinib treatment, the overall response rate was 33%, and failure-free survival was 58%. Infectious adverse events ≥ CTCAE grade III were observed in 10/48 patients. The response rate was not associated with the severity of cGvHD, number of previous treatment lines, or number of additional agents combined with ruxolitinib applying a univariate regression model. At the time of the 12-month follow-up, four patients experienced recurrence of the underlying malignancy and two patients had experienced non-relapse-related mortality. Overall, ruxolitinib was relatively well-tolerated and showed outcomes comparable to the REACH3 trial in a heavily pretreated patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Denk
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Mittermaier
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Weber
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Fante
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Edinger
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wolff
- Department of Internal Medicine IIIHematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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Pattipaka T, Sarp S, Nakhaei P, Güneş S. Ruxolitinib in patients with graft versus host disease (GvHD): findings from a compassionate use program. Bone Marrow Transplant 2024; 59:637-646. [PMID: 38361117 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-024-02207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The ruxolitinib compassionate use (CU) program offered ruxolitinib to patients ≥2 years of age with confirmed steroid-resistant acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD and cGvHD, respectively). Data from 1180 patients (n = 775, 370 and 35 with cGvHD, aGvHD, and non-specified GvHD, respectively) were analyzed. Most patients had severe cGvHD (56%) or stage III/IV aGvHD (70%) disease and had previously received corticosteroids ( > 80%); ruxolitinib was requested primarily as a second-/third-line option. Patients <12 and ≥12 years old most often received the recommended ruxolitinib doses (5 mg twice daily [BID] and 10 mg BID, respectively); however, 23% and 30% of ≥12 year olds with cGvHD and aGvHD, respectively, received the lower dose of 5 mg BID. Notably, corticosteroid usage decreased with ruxolitinib treatment; at the initial ruxolitinib request, 81% and 91% of patients with cGvHD and aGvHD, respectively, were receiving corticosteroids whereas at resupply, 62% and 64%, respectively, were receiving corticosteroids. Eighty two percent of evaluable patients with cGvHD had a complete or partial response to treatment and 56% of evaluable patients with aGvHD had a best response of grade 0/I. These findings demonstrate the rapid and positive effects of ruxolitinib in patients with GvHD in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peyman Nakhaei
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Bos S, Murray J, Marchetti M, Cheng GS, Bergeron A, Wolff D, Sander C, Sharma A, Badawy SM, Peric Z, Piekarska A, Pidala J, Raj K, Penack O, Kulkarni S, Beestrum M, Linke A, Rutter M, Coleman C, Tonia T, Schoemans H, Stolz D, Vos R. ERS/EBMT clinical practice guidelines on treatment of pulmonary chronic graft- versus-host disease in adults. Eur Respir J 2024; 63:2301727. [PMID: 38485149 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01727-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is a common complication after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, characterised by a broad disease spectrum that can affect virtually any organ. Although pulmonary cGvHD is a less common manifestation, it is of great concern due to its severity and poor prognosis. Optimal management of patients with pulmonary cGvHD is complicated and no standardised approach is available. The purpose of this joint European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation task force was to develop evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment of pulmonary cGvHD phenotype bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in adults. A multidisciplinary group representing specialists in haematology, respiratory medicine and methodology, as well as patient advocates, formulated eight PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome) and two narrative questions. Following the ERS standardised methodology, we conducted systematic reviews to address these questions and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to develop recommendations. The resulting guideline addresses common therapeutic options (inhalation therapy, fluticasone-azithromycin-montelukast, imatinib, ibrutinib, ruxolitinib, belumosudil, extracorporeal photopheresis and lung transplantation), as well as other aspects of general management, such as lung functional and radiological follow-up and pulmonary rehabilitation, for adults with pulmonary cGvHD phenotype bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. These recommendations include important advancements that could be incorporated in the management of adults with pulmonary cGvHD, primarily aimed at improving and standardising treatment and improving outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Bos
- Dept of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John Murray
- Dept of Haematology and Transplant Unit, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Monia Marchetti
- Dept of Haematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Nazionale SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Guang-Shing Cheng
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anne Bergeron
- Dept of Pulmonology, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Wolff
- Dept of Medicine III, Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensberg, Germany
| | - Clare Sander
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Dept of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sherif M Badawy
- Dept of Pediatrics, Division of Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zinaida Peric
- Dept of Haematology, University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- TCWP (Transplant Complications Working Party) of the EBMT
| | - Agnieszka Piekarska
- Dept of Haematology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joseph Pidala
- Dept of Medical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kavita Raj
- Dept of Haematology, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Olaf Penack
- TCWP (Transplant Complications Working Party) of the EBMT
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dept of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samar Kulkarni
- Dept of Haematology and Transplant Unit, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Molly Beestrum
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Matthew Rutter
- ERS Patient Advocacy Committee
- Dept of Respiratory Physiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Thomy Tonia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Schoemans
- Dept of Haematology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Dept of Public Health and Primary Care, ACCENT VV, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Contributed equally as senior author
| | - Robin Vos
- Dept of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Contributed equally as senior author
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Novitzky-Basso I, Linn SM, White J, Elemary M, Xenocostas A, Deotare U, Kelly K, Hamad N, Tan S, Culos S, Law A, Kumar R, Mattsson J, Kim DDH. Propensity score matching analysis comparing the efficacy of Ruxolitinib to historical controls in second-line or beyond treatment for chronic GvHD after steroid failure. Bone Marrow Transplant 2023; 58:1024-1032. [PMID: 37365296 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-023-02020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Established first-line therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) comprises corticosteroids with/without calcineurin inhibitors, but about half of cGvHD patients are refractory to corticosteroid therapy. The present study retrospectively analyzed treatment outcomes in 426 patients and undertook a propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis between ruxolitinib (RUX) treated group and a historical group of cGvHD patients treated with best available treatment (BAT). PSM process adjusted unbalanced risk factors between the 2 groups, including GvHD severity, HCT-CI score, and treatment line, extracting 88 patients (44 in BAT/RUX groups each) for final analysis. In PSM subgroup, RUX group showed 74.7% 12 months' FFS rate vs 19.1% for BAT group (p < 0.001), whereas 12 months' OS rates were 89.2% and 77.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis for FFS confirmed RUX superiority over BAT together with HCT-CI score 0-2 vs ≥3. For OS, RUX was superior to BAT, while age ≥60 years and severe grade cGvHD adversely impacted OS. In PSM subgroup, at months 0, 3, and 6, 4.5%, 12.2% and 22.2% more patients in RUX group could discontinue prednisone compared to BAT group, respectively. In conclusion, the current study showed that for FFS, RUX was superior to BAT as second-line therapy or beyond in cGvHD patients after therapy failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Novitzky-Basso
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Swe Mar Linn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer White
- Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohamed Elemary
- Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Regina, SK, Canada
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Anargyros Xenocostas
- London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Uday Deotare
- London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Kelly
- London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nada Hamad
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sui Tan
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Culos
- Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arjun Law
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rajat Kumar
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dennis Dong Hwan Kim
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Lee GH, Guzman AK, Divito SJ, Soiffer RJ, Silk AW, Schmults CD. Cutaneous Squamous-Cell Carcinoma after Treatment with Ruxolitinib or Belumosudil. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:188-190. [PMID: 37437151 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2304157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gun Ho Lee
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | - Ann W Silk
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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Algeri M, Becilli M, Locatelli F. Ruxolitinib as the first post-steroid treatment for acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023; 19:1299-1313. [PMID: 37606511 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2249230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) are potentially life-threatening complications occurring after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Although steroids represent the first-line treatment for both conditions, in those patients who do not adequately benefit from steroid therapy, standardized treatment algorithms are lacking. In recent years, ruxolitinib has emerged as the most promising agent for the second-line therapy of steroid-refractory (SR)-GvHD. AREAS COVERED This review will summarize the biological properties and the mechanistic aspects that justify the therapeutic role of ruxolitinib in GvHD. In addition, current treatment options for SR-GvHD will be briefly discussed. Finally, results of the most relevant clinical trials on the use of ruxolitinib for SR-GvHD will be analyzed, with a particular focus on two phase-III randomized trials in which ruxolitinib demonstrated its superiority in comparison with the best available therapy. EXPERT OPINION Ruxolitinib has considerably improved the outcome of patients with SR-acute/chronic-GvHD and should be regarded as the standard-of-care option when corticosteroids fail or cannot be tapered. Nevertheless, a number of questions still remain unanswered and significant room for improvement exists. Additional observations derived from a longer follow-up will certainly increase our expertise in the management of this powerful therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Algeri
- Department of Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Magna Grecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Becilli
- Department of Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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Flavin B. Chronic graft-vs-host disease: Current understanding of disease and treatment landscape. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2022; 28:S2-S12. [DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.12-b.s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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He K, Xu S, Shen L, Chen X, Xia Q, Qian Y. Ruxolitinib as Adjunctive Therapy for Hemophagocytic LymPhohistiocytosis after Liver Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:6308. [PMID: 36362534 PMCID: PMC9656798 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but potentially fatal hyperinflammatory disorder characterized by dysfunctional cytotoxic T and natural killer cells. Liver transplantation is a predisposing factor for HLH. High mortality rates were reported in 40 cases of HLH following liver transplantation in adults and children. Herein, we describe a case of adult HLH triggered by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection shortly after liver transplantation. The patient was successfully treated with ruxolitinib combined with a modified HLH-2004 treatment strategy. Our case is the first to report the successful use of ruxolitinib with a modified HLH-2004 strategy to treat HLH in a solid organ transplantation recipient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang He
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Lijing Shen
- Department of Hematology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiaosong Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yongbing Qian
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai 200127, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai 200127, China
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Organ-specific response after low-dose interleukin-2 therapy for steroid refractory chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease. Blood Adv 2022; 6:4392-4402. [PMID: 35617682 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite new therapeutic options, treatment of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (SR-cGVHD) remains challenging as organ involvement and clinical manifestations are highly variable. In previous trials of low-dose interleukin-2 (LD IL-2), we established the safety and efficacy of LD IL-2 for treatment of SR-cGVHD. In the present report, we combined 5 phase I or II clinical trials conducted at our center to investigate organ-specific response rate, co-involvement of organs, predictors of organ-specific response and its possible association with immune response. For 105 adult patients included in this report, the overall response rate after 8 or 12 weeks LD IL-2 was 48.6% and 53.3% including late responses in patients who continued treatment for extended periods. Skin was the most frequent organ involved (84%) and the organ-specific response rate was highest in liver (66.7%) followed by GI (62.5%), skin (36.4%), joint/muscle/fascia (34.2%) and lung (19.2%). In multivariable analysis, shorter time from diagnosis of cGVHD to IL-2 initiation, shorter time from transplant to IL-2 initiation, and fewer prior therapies were associated with overall response as well as skin response. For immunologic correlates, CD4Treg:CD4Tcon ratio at one week was significantly higher in patients with overall and skin response; skin response was significantly associated with lower number of total CD3 T cells, CD4Tcon and CD8 T cells and higher number of B cells. For lung responders, terminal effector memory cell counts were lower within all T cell populations compared to non-responders. Organ-specific mechanisms of injury should be investigated and organ-specific targeted therapies need to be developed.
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Early Use of Low-Dose Ruxolitinib: A Promising Strategy for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic GVHD. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030374. [PMID: 35337171 PMCID: PMC8955311 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Janus kinases (JAK) are a family of tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2) that transduce cytokine-mediated signals through the JAK–STAT metabolic pathway. These kinases act by regulating the transcription of specific genes capable of inducing biological responses in several immune cell subsets. Inhibition of Janus kinases interferes with the JAK–STAT signaling pathway. Besides being used in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, in recent years, they have also been used to treat inflammatory conditions, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and cytokine release syndrome as complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cell therapy. Recently, the FDA approved the use of ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, in the treatment of acute steroid-refractory GVHD (SR-aGVHD), highlighting the role of JAK inhibition in this immune deregulation. Ruxolitinib was initially used to treat myelofibrosis and true polycythemia in a high-dose treatment and caused hematological toxicity. Since a lower dosage often could not be effective, the use of ruxolitinib was suspended. Subsequently, ruxolitinib was evaluated in adult patients with SR-aGVHD and was found to achieve a rapid and effective response. In addition, its early low-dose use in pediatric patients affected by GVHD has proved effective, safe, and reasonably preventive. The review aims to describe the potential properties of ruxolitinib to identify new therapeutic strategies.
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Extracorporeal photopheresis in acute and chronic steroid‑refractory graft-versus-host disease: an evolving treatment landscape. Leukemia 2022; 36:2558-2566. [PMID: 36153436 PMCID: PMC9613461 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01701-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) are known to have a poor prognosis and for decades no approved drug has been available to treat this serious condition. Although ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase (JAK)1/2 inhibitor demonstrated significantly higher response rates in randomized trials compared to the best available therapy, and thus, is of benefit in both acute as well as chronic GvHD, there is an urgent medical need to improve results, such as durability of responses, response in eye, liver and lung manifestations and reduction of infectious complications. In this "Review" article we would like to offer strategies for improving treatment results in patients with steroid-refractory GvHD by combining ruxolitinib with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), a leukapheresis-based immunomodulatory treatment frequently applied in T-cell mediated immune disease including GvHD. Our article explores key published evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of both ruxolitinib and ECP in the treatment of GvHD and highlights their potentially complementary mechanisms of action.
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