Leading experts are highlighting significant shifts in the treatment landscape for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), with oral therapies emerging as preferred options for both acute and chronic presentations. Dr. Noah M. Merin, assistant professor at Cedars-Sinai Medicine and medical director of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Disease Research Group, shared insights on current treatment approaches during a recent virtual event.
Evolution in GVHD Treatment Options
The therapeutic arsenal for GVHD has expanded significantly, with newer oral medications taking center stage. Ruxolitinib has secured category 1 indications for both acute and chronic GVHD, while ibrutinib and belumosudil have established their roles in chronic GVHD management. These developments have led to reduced reliance on traditional agents that often required more complex administration methods.
"Most of these drugs have fallen by the wayside with the development of effective oral GVHD therapy," notes Dr. Merin, referring to older treatment options listed in the NCCN guidelines.
Targeted Approaches for Specific Manifestations
While newer oral therapies dominate the treatment landscape, certain traditional agents retain important roles in specific clinical scenarios. Infliximab, borrowed from inflammatory bowel disease treatment protocols, has shown remarkable efficacy in patients with severe colon and liver GVHD. Similarly, mycophenolate mofetil has proven particularly effective for liver GVHD, offering a mild immunosuppressive option suitable for long-term use.
Treatment Selection Considerations
The NCCN guidelines now emphasize several key factors in treatment selection:
- Route of administration
- Ease of therapy access and compliance
- Adverse event profiles
- Degree of immunosuppression
Dr. Merin specifically cautions against the use of intense immunosuppressive agents like alemtuzumab, noting that "it will cause a profound T-cell immunocompromised state." Additionally, he advises against reintroducing calcineurin inhibitors in patients who develop GVHD after six months of treatment.
Personalized Treatment Strategies
The current treatment paradigm reflects a more nuanced approach to GVHD management, with physicians tailoring therapy selection based on individual patient presentations and specific organ involvement. This personalized strategy, combined with the availability of newer oral agents, has significantly improved the therapeutic options available to clinicians managing this challenging condition.
