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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Tacrolimus in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
1Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. kfortune@tnonc.com
Background:
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with allogeneic peripheral blood or marrow transplantation is a serious life-threatening complication. Most of the available literature support the use of tacrolimus as a prophylactic agent for acute GVHD.
Objective:
To review the pharmacology, efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and recommend its place in therapy for the prophylaxis of GVHD.
Methods:
We conducted a literature search using PubMed/Medline (January 1996 - December 2008) using the keywords tacrolimus, graft-versus-host disease and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Data provided by the manufacturer and the FDA were also reviewed.
Conclusion:
Tacrolimus is effective in the prevention of acute GVHD. Trials comparing tacrolimus with cyclosporine using tacrolimus levels in the 7 - 10 ng/ml range and with larger numbers of patients may be necessary to better understand the impact of these drugs on survival.
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