Progress in acute graft versus host disease

The aim of this article is to highlight both experimental and clinical studies contributing to our present understanding of acute graft versus host disease.

New cellular players and new molecules in induction, modulation and treatment of graft versus host disease are reported. The contribution of antigen presenting cells to induction of graft versus host disease and graft versus leukemia effects is well understood in animal models and now needs confirmation in human analyses. Both, regulatory T cells and mesenchymal stem cells are a new hope for prophylaxis and treatment. Receptors of innate immunity, homing molecules and chemokines regulate activation and trafficking of these cellular players and may be used for selective blockade, activation or cell selection.

Better understanding of the early events involved in graft versus host disease should allow risk adapted and more precise early or even preemptive treatment of graft versus host disease.