THALIDOMIDE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE INCHILDREN FOLLOWING BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Citation
Ch. Cole et al., THALIDOMIDE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE INCHILDREN FOLLOWING BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION, Bone marrow transplantation, 14(6), 1994, pp. 937-942
Citations number
42
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Hematology,Oncology,Immunology,Transplantation
Journal title
ISSN journal
0268-3369
Volume
14
Issue
6
Year of publication
1994
Pages
937 - 942
Database
ISI
SICI code
0268-3369(1994)14:6<937:TITMOC>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the major complication in patients surviving >100 days postallogeneic bone marrow transplantatio n and occurs in 30% of pediatric patients. It is most prevalent 1-2 ye ars post-transplant, Treatment involves corticosteroids and other immu nosuppressive therapy which may affect growth and increase the likelih ood of infectious complications. We report five children with severe c orticosteroid-dependent chronic GVHD treated with thalidomide 12-25 mg /kg/day. Response to therapy was based on resolution of symptoms of ch ronic GVHD and withdrawal of other immunosuppressive therapy. All the children showed clinical response to thalidomide with cessation or dim inution in other immunosuppressive medication. Side-effects were minim al and no patient developed peripheral neuropathy. All patients are al ive 48-65 months post-transplantation. Thalidomide is a safe and effec tive drug for the treatment of chronic GVHD in children and may avoid the use of long-term corticosteroid therapy,