title: Graft-vs-leukemia following bone marrow transplantation: a model of immunotherapy in man.
abstract: Considerable data in animals suggest an antileukemia reaction associated with transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow cells. In some instances, this graft-vs-leukemia (GVL) reaction may be distinct from graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD). Data in humans also support the concept of a GVL effect associated with bone marrow transplantation. These observations include an increased risk of leukemia relapse in identical twin transplants and in recipients of T-cell depleted allogeneic transplants, and a decreased risk of leukemia relapse in individuals who develop acute or chronic GVHD. Although indirect, these findings are among the most convincing evidence that the immune system plays a role against cancer in man. It may be possible to exploit this effect in other settings and with other cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butturini
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bortin
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens