A 53-Year-Old Man With Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Michael Bishop, MD, discusses his concerns for a 53-year-old man diagnosed with acute graft-versus-host disease later deemed as steroid refractory, based on the typical prognosis for patients in similar scenarios.

Criteria used by hematologists/oncologists to diagnose acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and common therapies used for GVHD prevention in patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Michael Bishop, MD, shares recommendations that can help hematologists/oncologists appropriately identify patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease and describes how his treatment approaches differ based on grade.

Considerations for assessing response to steroid therapy as initial therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease and factors that impact next-line therapy, when necessary.

Dr Michael Bishop, of the David and Etta Jonas Center for Cellular Therapy, University of Chicago, describes the rationale for the design of the phase 3 REACH2 trial in steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease and provides perspective on important takeaways from data presented.

The rationale for treating steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease with ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, and recommendations for monitoring and managing treatment-related adverse events.

Newer therapies being explored to address treatment gaps in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and advice to community oncologists/hematologists who manage cases of GVHD and/or care for patients who receive allotransplants.