Clinical applications for biomarkers of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2012 Jan;18(1 Suppl):S116-24. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.10.019.

Abstract

Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD, cGVHD) are serious complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The complex pathophysiology of these disease processes is associated with immune system activation, the release of cytokines and chemokines, and alterations in cell populations. The blood levels of specific protein and cellular levels in patients with GVHD have correlated with the development, diagnosis, and prognosis of GVHD. Here, we review the most promising biomarkers for aGVHD and cGVHD with clinical relevance. The utility of GVHD biomarkers in clinical care of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients needs to be proven through clinical trials, and potential approaches to trial design are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / metabolism*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / therapy*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Biomarkers