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Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for steroid-refractory acute and chronic graft versus host disease: a phase 1 study

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Abstract

Steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (AGVHD) and chronic graft versus host disease (CGVHD) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are major causes of morbidity and mortality. We undertook a phase I trial in patients with steroid-refractory AGVHD and CGVHD utilising bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Additionally, all refractory patients were treated with etanercept concomitantly. The primary end point was safety, and secondary end points were best response achieved and overall survival. A median of two infusions per patient were administered. The response rate overall for AGVHD was complete in seven, partial in four and no response in one patient. Of the seven patients who achieved a complete response, six are alive. The actuarial survival for the overall group of AGVHD was 55% at 30 months. Two patients with CGVHD achieved complete response with two partial responses and three with no response. The survival for those with AGVHD who achieved a complete response compared with those who did not was significant (p = 0.03). We identified no early or late safety issues in the nineteen patients. In view of the poor outlook for steroid-refractory AGVHD, further trials are warranted of MSC with steroid therapy, at the onset of AGVHD before steroid resistance.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by The Ray and Bill Dobney Trust at the Royal Perth Hospital and by the Research and Infrastructure Support Services Company Ltd, funded by the Australian Federal Government National Consortium of Research Infrastructure Fund. We acknowledge the valuable contribution of the laboratory staff at CTTWA in manufacturing the MSC and the medical and nursing staff in caring for the patients.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell and Tissue Therapies, Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington St, Perth, 6000, Australia

    Richard Herrmann, Marian Sturm & Kathryn Shaw

  2. Department of Haematology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, 6000, Australia

    Richard Herrmann, Marian Sturm, Duncan Purtill, Julian Cooney, Matthew Wright & Paul Cannell

  3. School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Richard Herrmann, Marian Sturm & Julian Cooney

  4. Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, Australia

    Michael Phillips

Authors
  1. Richard Herrmann
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  2. Marian Sturm
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  3. Kathryn Shaw
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  4. Duncan Purtill
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  5. Julian Cooney
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  6. Matthew Wright
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  7. Michael Phillips
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  8. Paul Cannell
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Correspondence to Richard Herrmann.

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Herrmann, R., Sturm, M., Shaw, K. et al. Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for steroid-refractory acute and chronic graft versus host disease: a phase 1 study. Int J Hematol 95, 182–188 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-011-0989-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-011-0989-2

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