Graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) is a common medical complication that can occur after a patient has received a stem cell transplant. It happens when the newly transplanted cells view the recipient’s cells as being foreign bodies, and start to attack them.

While GvHD can be fatal, most people who have this condition survive. The symptoms of GvHD include abdominal pain, rashes, yellow skin or eyes, nausea, diarrhea, jaundice, liver failure, and frequent infections.

Researchers from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida may have discovered a novel approach that inhibits the development of GvHD. The treatment has been successfully tested in mice and may soon be tested on humans.

Mice who received the treatment still had a strong immune system that could fight off infections and tumours. This new study published as the cover story in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Doctors reduce the risk of GvHD by carefully matching the tissue types of both the donor and recipient before performing a stem cell transplant. Medications can also be used to reduce the risk of GvHD. Unfortunately, some of these medications carry significant side effects. Medications work by suppressing the patient’s immune system — which also leaves them vulnerable to other illnesses.

The researcher’s goal was to develop new drugs that affect the specific components of the immune system that are involved with GvHD. These drugs would leave the other parts of the immune system fully functional.

The research group began by looking at the role of specific proteins and the regulatory T cells that can prevent GvHD. They found that the inhibition of the proteins Aurora kinase A and JAK2 increased the differentiation of R cells. They then managed to successfully develop a drug that inhibits these two proteins.

Their findings could make having a stem cell transplant much safer and more comfortable for patients.

Source: Researchers develop novel treatment to prevent graft-versus-host-disease

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