The use of mesenchymal stem cells in therapy of steroid-resistance chronic refractory graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are involved in tissue repair and modulating immune responses. We present report of two cases of use of third-party donor mesenchymal stem cells in the therapy of steroid-resistant chronic GVHD. Case reports. The doses of MSC in both patients were 1.08 and 1.4 x 106 cells per kg body weight respectively. Time from diagnosis of GVHD to infusion of MSC was 420 and 330 days, respectively. Both patients had single infusion of MSC. We did not observe any adverse effects after both infusions of MSC. We obtained initially a partial response and then complete response in the first patient and a partial response in the second patient. In the first patient we achieved improvement of skin involvement resulting in reduction of immunosuppression. In the second patient with scleroderma we achieved only a minor improvement. Conclusion. Administration of MSC is a safe method and might by an effective therapy for patients with chronic refractory GVHD.