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Published on: October 31, 2012
Effects of sarpogrelate hydrochloride in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease: a case report
Tomoe Hayashi1, Eriko Morishita, Yasuo Ontachi
1Cellular Transplantation Biology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan. tomoe11@nifty.com
Insights
Sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) may improve chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) skin lesions. This treatment reduced key growth factor levels, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach for cGVHD patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a severe complication following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
- cGVHD presents significant morbidity and mortality despite current treatments, often mimicking autoimmune conditions like systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Observation:
- Sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH), a 5-hydroxytryptamine2A (5HT2A) receptor antagonist, has shown efficacy in SSc patients with Raynaud phenomenon.
- SH was administered to a patient with cGVHD-related skin manifestations.
Findings:
- Following SH treatment, the patient exhibited decreased plasma levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and total transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).
- The patient also experienced noticeable improvement in skin pigmentation, indicating a positive response in skin lesions.
Implications:
- SH may offer a new therapeutic strategy for managing cGVHD skin lesions by potentially inhibiting PDGF and TGF-β synthesis.
- This case highlights the potential role of SH in mitigating fibrotic processes characteristic of cGVHD.
Abstract:
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a frequent complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Even with aggressive treatment, cGVHD is associated with a significant degree of morbidity and mortality. cGVHD resembles autoimmune disorder, particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc). Sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) is an antagonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine2A (5HT2A) receptor and has been reported to be effective in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with Raynaud phenomenon. We used SH to treat a cGVHD patient, and we measured plasma PDGF and total TGF-beta levels. After SH treatment, his plasma PDGF and total TGF-beta levels decreased, and he noticed improvement in his skin pigmentation. In the present case, SH may have improved the skin lesion by inhibiting the synthesis of PDGF and TGF-beta.
