Infliximab for managing steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2009 Sep;15(9):1116-21. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2009.05.019.

Abstract

Infliximab has demonstrated activity in the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). We aimed to confirm the effectiveness of infliximab as a salvage therapy for steroid-refractory aGVHD. In a series of 52 patients, 71% of whom had grade III-IV aGVHD, only 15% achieved complete remission (CR) with the use of infliximab alone as salvage therapy. CR of aGVHD differed according to overall aGVHD grade at salvage (grade II, 5/15; grade III, 2/17; grade IV, 1/20; P=.03). Median overall survival (OS) was only 1.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.99 to 2.3 months). CR of aGVHD was significantly associated with OS, with a hazard ratio of 8.4 for death in those without CR (95% CI=3.6 to 19.6; P < .0001). This series demonstrates the limited activity of infliximab in patients with high-grade aGVHD. Further work is needed to identify effective therapy for aGVHD.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Steroids / pharmacology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Steroids
  • Infliximab