Tacrolimus: an alternative for graft-versus-host disease prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus for prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients receiving allogeneic bone marrow transplants.


METHODS
Published literature was identified through MEDLINE (January 1990-December 1998) using the key words tacrolimus, FK506, graft-versus-host disease, and bone marrow transplant.


RESULTS
GVHD associated with allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a serious life-threatening complication. An evaluation of studies using tacrolimus for prevention of GVHD was conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
Tacrolimus is effective for the prevention of GVHD in allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Further studies need to be conducted to optimize the dosage schedule and to determine therapeutic ranges, efficacy, and safety.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
T J
TJ
Lee
L A
LA
Kennedy
D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014019:Tissue Donors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus