Nonabsorbable corticosteroids use in the treatment of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2009 Apr;15(4):395-405. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2008.12.487. Epub 2009 Feb 10.

Abstract

For over a decade, nonabsorbable corticosteroids have been employed in the treatment of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), as monotherapy or in combination with systemic corticosteroids. The majority of the evidence showing a favorable outcome consisted of case series, small phase II trials and a large randomized phase III trial. The 2 most commonly studied molecules were oral budesonide and beclomethasone diproprionate. Although these reports hint at some benefit with the local treatment strategy, their methodologic inconsistencies preclude meaningful adoption to everyday clinical practice. This review evaluates the current evidence of nonabsorbable corticosteroids in HSCT and sets forth recommendations for future trials with these agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Beclomethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Budesonide / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Budesonide
  • Beclomethasone