title: Safety and effects of prophylactic defibrotide for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with a mortality rate of up to 90%. We report our experience on the use of defibrotide for SOS prophylaxis in HSCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed data of 49 patients who received defibrotide as SOS prophylaxis during the course of HSCT at the National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea, between August 2005 and July 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four patients (69.4%) were classified as a high-risk group for developing SOS. Defibrotide was well-tolerated, without any grade 3 or 4 toxicity. The median value of maximum total bilirubin within 100 days after HSCT was within the normal range. SOS was diagnosed in only 1 patient, who underwent autologous HSCT due to relapsed medulloblastoma. There was no day 100 treatment-related mortality in our study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Defibrotide appears to be a safe prophylaxis for SOS. This study suggests that it could be effective to use prophylactic defibrotide in advance to improve HSCT outcomes in patients at risk of SOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Meerim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyeon Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyeon-Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Young Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Jeong A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yeon Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jong Hyung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sun-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Thad T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Ghim
authors.forename: Hye Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Byung-Kiu
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006504:Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C036901:defibrotide