title: [Salvage treatment with infliximab of steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic transplanted patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Severe acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and extensive chronic GVHD not responding to steroids have poor prognosis. Infliximab has reported to be effective in some of these patients. The efficacy of infliximab for the treatment of patients with steroid-resistant GVHD was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis to evaluate the activity and toxicity of infliximab in 9 patients with acute or chronic steroid resistant GVHD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients had acute GVHD and 3 chronic GVHD. The source of progenitors was peripheral blood in all patients except one. Six received matched-related SCT and 3 unrelated SCT. Patients received between 2 and 7 doses of infliximab, and 5 achieved a partial response. All patients presented infections: 4 developed Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia and 5 probable or confirmed infection by Aspergillus fumigatus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab provides transient response in steroid-resistant GVHD. However, it is associated with a high rate of infections. Earlier administration of infliximab should be explored to reduce the frequency of infections.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Hematología Clínica, Institut Català d'Oncologia-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Motlló
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrà
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgades
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batlle
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ribera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069285:Infliximab