Prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease with cyclosporine-prednisone is associated with increased risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease.
To determine the effect of two different graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylactic regimens--cyclosporine with short course of methotrexate (CYA-MTX) and cyclosporine with prednisone (CYA-PRED)--on the incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD), we retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 196 consecutive allogeneic related blood and marrow transplants performed at our institution utilizing one of these regimens. CYA-PRED was given to patients who were transplanted more recently because of concern about the increased risk of veno-occlusive disease of the liver, increased mucositis, and slower engraftment in patients receiving CYA-MTX. Prophylaxis with CYA-PRED was associated with a higher risk of development of cGVHD (risk ratio (RR) 3.5; 95% confidence intrerval (CI), 2.2-5.4). The proportion of patients with extensive disease among those developing cGVHD was higher in the CYA-PRED group (71%) than in the CYA-MTX group (57%), although this difference was not statistically significant. The cumulative probability of extensive cGVHD at 2 years was higher in the CYA-PRED group (RR 4.2, 95% CI, 2.4-7.4). Development of acute GVHD and cytomegalovirus mismatch were independent predictors of increased risk of cGVHD. We conclude that GVHD prophylaxis with CYA-PRED is associated with a higher overall rate of cGVHD compared to CYA-MTX. The type of GVHD prophylaxis should be considered when comparing the incidence of cGVHD reported in different studies.
Kumar
S
S
Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Chen
M G
MG
Gastineau
D A
DA
Gertz
M A
MA
Inwards
D J
DJ
Lacy
M Q
MQ
Tefferi
A
A
Harmsen
W S
WS
Litzow
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate