Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complex condition that can occur after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and remains a significant cause of morbidity. GVHD occurs when donor immunocompetent T cells react to and attack the genetically disparate host. The etiology of GVHD is complex, with numerous variables affecting its incidence and severity. Recent work has focused upon blunting the initial interactions between the donor T cell and the host. Because GVHD is linked with the beneficial graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect that occurs after allogenic bone marrow transplantation, previous attempts to circumvent GVHD (i.e. by depletion of T cells from the donor graft) also resulted in increased relapse rates from the original tumor. The ideal scenario involves the tolerization or anergy of the donor T cell that attacks the host while allowing donor cells to mediate GVT effects. Recent work has attempted to address several pivotal features of GVHD: the variables that affect its induction and severity; the effector mechanisms; and whether GVHD can be suppressed yet GVT effects be maintained. Questions about these features need answers to enable us to design successful approaches for intervention.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 509-515 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Current Opinion in Immunology |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 1999 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors gratefully acknowledge the efforts of Frank Ruscetti, Dan Longo and Lisbeth Welniak for critically reviewing the manuscript and helpful discussions. WJM is particularly grateful to Dan Longo for his guidance and sage advice over the years. We also thank Laura Knott for excellent secretarial assistance. This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health under contract number N01-CO-56000. This was also supported by National Institutes of Health grants 2 R37 HL56067, R01 AI 34495, R01 CA72669, R01 HL55209 and P01 AI-35225. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.