Effect of graft-versus-host disease on relapse and survival in 100 patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed to investigate the incidences and risk factors of acute and chronic graft-versus-host diseases (GVHD) and to clarify their effects on relapse and survival of recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The clinical data of 100 cases of allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed. The incidences and risk factors of aGVHD and cGVHD, relapse and survival were studied. The results showed that 31 cases developed aGVHD of II - IV grade (34.4%) and 14 cases developed aGVHD of III - IV grade (17.7%). HLA matched or mismatched did not show significant difference in the development of aGVHD of II - IV grade (p > 0.05). Previous occurrence of aGVHD was the risk factor for cGVHD (HR = 2.303, p = 0.088). The female was a favorable factor for cGVHD (HR = 0.401, p = 0.055). The relapse rate was lower in patients who developed cGVHD. The development of aGVHD of II - IV grade was the risk factor for overall survival (p < 0.05). The mortality of patients with aGVHD of III - IV grade and mortality of patients with aGVHD of 0 - I grade were 81.0% and 35.7% respectively, there was very significant difference between them (p = 0.000). In conclusion, till now GVHD and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect can not be separated. The positive effect of GVL could be counteracted by GVHD-related mortality. It is necessary to prevent and control the development of severe aGVHD. The development of local cGVHD may be beneficial to the long-term disease-free survival of patients after allo-HSCT.