FK 506 rescue in chronic graft-versus-host-disease after bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract

CHRONIC graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) is a debilitating and often fatal complication seen in 30% to 60% of patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).1 Its prognosis is poorer with advancing patient age, when it is extensive, if it appears progressively after acute GVHD, if total bilirubin is more than 1.2 mg/dL, or if the platelet count is less than lOO,OOO/mL. Conventional treatment includes combination immunosuppression most often with cyclosporine (CyA) and prednisone. Azathioprine, methotrexate, antilymphocyte globulin, and other therapies may also be used.1-6