Successful use of belumosudil in a patient with chronic ocular GVHD: A case report

Belumosudil is a selective ROCK2 inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients who have failed at least two prior systemic therapies. By inhibiting ROCK2, Belumosudil can down-regulate the secretion of IL-21 and IL-17, and up-regulate regulatory T cells (Tregs), which serve to attenuate the inflammatory response. In addition, it can act as an antifibrotic by inhibiting the Rho-ROCK-MRTF pathway, as well as down-regulating the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and TGF-β signaling. Selective inhibition of ROCK2 also reduces M2-like macrophages and choroidal neovascularization, which further exerts antifibrotic effects. Therefore, belumosudil shows great potential in the treatment of chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (cGVHD).

We report the clinical course of a 39-year-old man with severe progressive chronic ocular GVHD (oGVHD), who showed significant improvement in ocular surface damage, including damage to the cornea and meibomian glands, as well as dry eye symptoms, after oral administration of belumosudil. Corneal leukoplakia and neovascularization were significantly reduced after treatment. Moreover, the patient's ocular surface symptoms remained stable without deterioration after cataract surgery. The patient's quality of life was significantly enhanced.

We report the clinical outcomes of a patient with chronic oGVHD treated with belumosudil. The patient's clinical symptoms significantly improved, especially inflammation of the meibomian gland, corneal leukoplakia, and neovascularization. This highlights its application value in patients with cGVHD and provides a promising treatment option for patients with oGVHD.