A randomized study of the prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · New Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198202183060703· OSTI ID:5638298

Ramsay, N K.C.; Kersey, J H; Robison, L L; McGlave, P B; Woods, W G; Krivit, W; Kim, T H; Goldman, A I; Nesbit, Jr, M E

Acute graft-versus-host disease is a major problem in allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation. We performed a randomized study to compare the effectiveness of two regimens in the prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease. Thirty-five patients received methotrexate alone, and 32 received methotrexate, antithymocyte globulin, and prednisone. Of the patients who received methotrexate alone, 48 percent had acute graft-versus-host disease, as compared with 21 per cent of those who received methotrexate, antithymocyte globulin, and prednisone (P = 0.01). The age of the recipient was a significant factor in the development of acute graft-versus-host disease: Older patients had a higher incidence of the disease (P = 0.001). We conclude that the combination of methotrexate, antithymocyte globulin, and prednisone significantly decreased the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease and should be used to prevent this disorder in patients receiving allogeneic marrow transplants.

• Research Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
• OSTI ID: 5638298
• Journal Information: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 306:7; ISSN NEJMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMAL TISSUES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BONE MARROW
CHEMOTHERAPY
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
GRAFT-HOST REACTION
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
IRRADIATION
ORGANS
PARTIAL BODY IRRADIATION
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
THERAPY
TISSUES
TRANSPLANTS
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION