Khuat LT, Vick LV, Dunai C, et al. Increased Efficacy of Dual Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Blockade on Acute GVHD While Maintaining GVT Effects. Blood. 2021; (doi: 10.1182/blood.2021011216).

Defenses against acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) can be strengthened without sacrificing graft-versus tumor (GVT) benefits by combining two key cytokines together instead of separately, researchers report. Acute gut GVHD, a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is characterized by the increased presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R). In murine GVHD models, investigators found that early, combined blockade of TNF and IL-6R improved survival from acute gut GVHD more than did single-blockade interventions. The approach also worked against future development of chronic skin GVHD. At the same time, dual blockade did not diminish GVT activity. The findings, write the study authors, reinforce that "GVT and GVHD can be delineated and may result in greater efficacy in allo-HSCT."

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