Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease.
Acute graft-versus-host disease is a two-step process. First, allorecognition of histocompatibility antigen activates T lymphocytes, which releases several cytokines, including interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor. Understanding of this activity resulted in new therapeutic approaches. Chronic graft-versus-host disease remains a very frequent and difficult problem to treat. Thalidomide was introduced as therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease. Although basic research reported this year had no common theme, progress was made in many areas.
Vogelsang
G B
GB
Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D014019:Tissue Donors