Note: most of these regimens include complex dose adjustments based on therapeutic troughs, concomitant medications, and other factors. Therefore, the focus on this page will be inclusion of drug names and references, but not necessarily drug dosages.
Finke J, Bethge WA, Schmoor C, Ottinger HD, Stelljes M, Zander AR, Volin L, Ruutu T, Heim DA, Schwerdtfeger R, Kolbe K, Mayer J, Maertens JA, Linkesch W, Holler E, Koza V, Bornhäuser M, Einsele H, Kolb HJ, Bertz H, Egger M, Grishina O, Socié G; ATG-Fresenius Trial Group. Standard graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin in haematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors: a randomised, open-label, multicentre phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2009 Sep;10(9):855-64. Epub 2009 Aug 18. link to original articlePubMed
Update: Socié G, Schmoor C, Bethge WA, Ottinger HD, Stelljes M, Zander AR, Volin L, Ruutu T, Heim DA, Schwerdtfeger R, Kolbe K, Mayer J, Maertens JA, Linkesch W, Holler E, Koza V, Bornhäuser M, Einsele H, Kolb HJ, Bertz H, Egger M, Grishina O, Finke J; ATG-Fresenius Trial Group. Chronic graft-versus-host disease: long-term results from a randomized trial on graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin ATG-Fresenius. Blood. 2011 Jun 9;117(23):6375-82. Epub 2011 Apr 5. link to original articlePubMed
Finke J, Bethge WA, Schmoor C, Ottinger HD, Stelljes M, Zander AR, Volin L, Ruutu T, Heim DA, Schwerdtfeger R, Kolbe K, Mayer J, Maertens JA, Linkesch W, Holler E, Koza V, Bornhäuser M, Einsele H, Kolb HJ, Bertz H, Egger M, Grishina O, Socié G; ATG-Fresenius Trial Group. Standard graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin in haematopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors: a randomised, open-label, multicentre phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2009 Sep;10(9):855-64. Epub 2009 Aug 18. link to original articlePubMed
Update: Socié G, Schmoor C, Bethge WA, Ottinger HD, Stelljes M, Zander AR, Volin L, Ruutu T, Heim DA, Schwerdtfeger R, Kolbe K, Mayer J, Maertens JA, Linkesch W, Holler E, Koza V, Bornhäuser M, Einsele H, Kolb HJ, Bertz H, Egger M, Grishina O, Finke J; ATG-Fresenius Trial Group. Chronic graft-versus-host disease: long-term results from a randomized trial on graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-T-cell globulin ATG-Fresenius. Blood. 2011 Jun 9;117(23):6375-82. Epub 2011 Apr 5. link to original articlePubMed
Ruutu T, Volin L, Parkkali T, Juvonen E, Elonen E. Cyclosporine, methotrexate, and methylprednisolone compared with cyclosporine and methotrexate for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplantation from HLA-identical sibling donor: a prospective randomized study. Blood. 2000 Oct 1;96(7):2391-8. link to original articlePubMed
Update: Ruutu T, Nihtinen A, Niittyvuopio R, Juvonen E, Volin L. A randomized study of cyclosporine and methotrexate with or without methylprednisolone for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease: Improved long-term survival with triple prophylaxis. Cancer. 2018 Feb 15;124(4):727-733. Epub 2017 Nov 7. link to original articlePubMed
Chao NJ, Schmidt GM, Niland JC, Amylon MD, Dagis AC, Long GD, Nademanee AP, Negrin RS, O'Donnell MR, Parker PM, Smith EP, Snyder DS, Stein AS, Wong RM, Blume KG, Forman SJ. Cyclosporine, methotrexate, and prednisone compared with cyclosporine and prednisone for prophylaxis of acute graft-versus-host disease. N Engl J Med. 1993 Oct 21;329(17):1225-30. link to original articlePubMed
FH 2448.00: Sandmaier BM, Kornblit B, Storer BE, Olesen G, Maris MB, Langston AA, Gutman JA, Petersen SL, Chauncey TR, Bethge WA, Pulsipher MA, Woolfrey AE, Mielcarek M, Martin PJ, Appelbaum FR, Flowers MED, Maloney DG, Storb R. Addition of sirolimus to standard cyclosporine plus mycophenolate mofetil-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis for patients after unrelated non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Haematol. 2019 Aug;6(8):e409-e418. Epub 2019 Jun 24. link to original articlePubMed
FH 2448.00: Sandmaier BM, Kornblit B, Storer BE, Olesen G, Maris MB, Langston AA, Gutman JA, Petersen SL, Chauncey TR, Bethge WA, Pulsipher MA, Woolfrey AE, Mielcarek M, Martin PJ, Appelbaum FR, Flowers MED, Maloney DG, Storb R. Addition of sirolimus to standard cyclosporine plus mycophenolate mofetil-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis for patients after unrelated non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Haematol. 2019 Aug;6(8):e409-e418. Epub 2019 Jun 24. link to original articlePubMed
Drobyski WR, Szabo A, Zhu F, Keever-Taylor C, Hebert KM, Dunn R, Yim S, Johnson B, D'Souza A, Eapen M, Fenske TS, Hari P, Hamadani M, Horowitz MM, Rizzo JD, Saber W, Shah N, Shaw B, Pasquini M. Tocilizumab, tacrolimus and methotrexate for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease: low incidence of lower gastrointestinal tract disease. Haematologica. 2018 Apr;103(4):717-727. Epub 2018 Jan 19. link to original articlelinkt o PMC articlePubMed
Choi SW, Braun T, Henig I, Gatza E, Magenau J, Parkin B, Pawarode A, Riwes M, Yanik G, Dinarello CA, Reddy P. Vorinostat plus tacrolimus/methotrexate to prevent GVHD after myeloablative conditioning, unrelated donor HCT. Blood. 2017 Oct 12;130(15):1760-1767. Epub 2017 Aug 7. link to original articlecontains verified protocolPubMed
Walker I, Panzarella T, Couban S, Couture F, Devins G, Elemary M, Gallagher G, Kerr H, Kuruvilla J, Lee SJ, Moore J, Nevill T, Popradi G, Roy J, Schultz KR, Szwajcer D, Toze C, Foley R; Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group. Pretreatment with anti-thymocyte globulin versus no anti-thymocyte globulin in patients with haematological malignancies undergoing haemopoietic cell transplantation from unrelated donors: a randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3, multicentre trial. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Feb;17(2):164-173. Epub 2015 Dec 24. PubMed
Kröger N, Solano C, Wolschke C, Bandini G, Patriarca F, Pini M, Nagler A, Selleri C, Risitano A, Messina G, Bethge W, Pérez de Oteiza J, Duarte R, Carella AM, Cimminiello M, Guidi S, Finke J, Mordini N, Ferra C, Sierra J, Russo D, Petrini M, Milone G, Benedetti F, Heinzelmann M, Pastore D, Jurado M, Terruzzi E, Narni F, Völp A, Ayuk F, Ruutu T, Bonifazi F. Antilymphocyte globulin for prevention of chronic graft-versus-host disease. N Engl J Med. 2016 Jan 7;374(1):43-53. link to original articlePubMed
Locatelli F, Bernardo ME, Bertaina A, Rognoni C, Comoli P, Rovelli A, Pession A, Fagioli F, Favre C, Lanino E, Giorgiani G, Merli P, Pagliara D, Prete A, Zecca M. Efficacy of two different doses of rabbit anti-T-lymphocyte globulin to prevent graft-versus-host disease in children with haematological malignancies transplanted from an unrelated donor: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Aug;18(8):1126-1136. Epub 2017 Jul 10. PubMed
Arora M, Wagner JE, Davies SM, Blazar BR, Defor T, Enright H, Miller WJ, Weisdorf DF. Randomized clinical trial of thalidomide, cyclosporine, and prednisone versus cyclosporine and prednisone as initial therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2001;7(5):265-73. link to original articlePubMed
BMT CTN 0801: Carpenter PA, Logan BR, Lee SJ, Weisdorf DJ, Johnston L, Costa LJ, Kitko CL, Bolaños-Meade J, Sarantopoulos S, Alousi AM, Abhyankar S, Waller EK, Mendizabal A, Zhu J, O'Brien KA, Lazaryan A, Wu J, Nemecek ER, Pavletic SZ, Cutler CS, Horowitz MM, Arora M; BMT CTN. A phase II/III randomized, multicenter trial of prednisone/sirolimus versus prednisone/ sirolimus/calcineurin inhibitor for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: BMT CTN 0801. Haematologica. 2018 Nov;103(11):1915-1924. Epub 2018 Jun 28. link to original articlePubMed
Miklos D, Cutler CS, Arora M, Waller EK, Jagasia M, Pusic I, Flowers ME, Logan AC, Nakamura R, Blazar BR, Li Y, Chang S, Lal I, Dubovsky J, James DF, Styles L, Jaglowski S. Ibrutinib for chronic graft-versus-host disease after failure of prior therapy. Blood. 2017 Nov 23;130(21):2243-2250. Epub 2017 Sep 18. link to original articlecontains verified protocolPubMed
BMT CTN 0801: Carpenter PA, Logan BR, Lee SJ, Weisdorf DJ, Johnston L, Costa LJ, Kitko CL, Bolaños-Meade J, Sarantopoulos S, Alousi AM, Abhyankar S, Waller EK, Mendizabal A, Zhu J, O'Brien KA, Lazaryan A, Wu J, Nemecek ER, Pavletic SZ, Cutler CS, Horowitz MM, Arora M; BMT CTN. A phase II/III randomized, multicenter trial of prednisone/sirolimus versus prednisone/ sirolimus/calcineurin inhibitor for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: BMT CTN 0801. Haematologica. 2018 Nov;103(11):1915-1924. Epub 2018 Jun 28. link to original articlePubMed
Response criteria
2005 NIH cGVHD Consensus Panel
References
Pavletic SZ, Martin P, Lee SJ, Mitchell S, Jacobsohn D, Cowen EW, Turner ML, Akpek G, Gilman A, McDonald G, Schubert M, Berger A, Bross P, Chien JW, Couriel D, Dunn JP, Fall-Dickson J, Farrell A, Flowers ME, Greinix H, Hirschfeld S, Gerber L, Kim S, Knobler R, Lachenbruch PA, Miller FW, Mittleman B, Papadopoulos E, Parsons SK, Przepiorka D, Robinson M, Ward M, Reeve B, Rider LG, Shulman H, Schultz KR, Weisdorf D, Vogelsang GB; Response Criteria Working Group. Measuring therapeutic response in chronic graft-versus-host disease: National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: IV. Response Criteria Working Group report. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2006 Mar;12(3):252-66. link to original articlePubMed
2014 NIH Response Criteria
References
Lee SJ, Wolff D, Kitko C, Koreth J, Inamoto Y, Jagasia M, Pidala J, Olivieri A, Martin PJ, Przepiorka D, Pusic I, Dignan F, Mitchell SA, Lawitschka A, Jacobsohn D, Hall AM, Flowers ME, Schultz KR, Vogelsang G, Pavletic S. Measuring therapeutic response in chronic graft-versus-host disease. National Institutes of Health consensus development project on criteria for clinical trials in chronic graft-versus-host disease: IV. The 2014 Response Criteria Working Group report. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2015 Jun;21(6):984-99. Epub 2015 Mar 19. link to PMC article
Scoring
Glucksberg acute graft versus host (GVHD) scores
Skin
Stage 0: No rash
Stage 1: Maculopapular rash <25% of body surface area
Stage 2: Maculopapular rash on 25-50% of body surface area
Stage 3: Generalized erythroderma
Stage 4: Generalized erythroderma with bullous formation and desquamation
Liver
Stage 0: Bilirubin <2 mg/dL
Stage 1: Bilirubin 2-3 mg/dL
Stage 2: Bilirubin 3.01-6 mg/dL
Stage 3: Bilirubin 6.01-15.0 mg/dL
Stage 4: Bilirubin >15 mg/dL
GI
Stage 0: No diarrhea, or diarrhea <500 mL/day
Stage 1: Diarrhea 500-999 mL/day
Stage 2: Diarrhea 1000-1499 mL/day
Stage 3: Diarrhea >1500 mL/day
Stage 4: Severe abdominal pain, with or without ileus
Glucksberg grade
Overall grade
I
II
III
IV
Skin
1-2
1-3
2-3
2-4
GI
0
1
2-3
2-4
Liver
0
1
2-4
2-4
Karnofsky performance scale
90-100%
70-80%
50-60%
30-40%
IBMTR severity index
The severity is the highest level which the patient reaches based on separate skin, liver, and GI staging.
Overall grade
A
B
C
D
Skin
1
2
3
4
GI
0
1-2
3
4
Liver
0
1-2
3
4
Chronic GVHD
Localized
Localized skin and/or liver dysfunction due to chronic GVHD
Extensive
Generalized skin involvement or localized skin and/or liver dysfunction due to chronic GVHD plus at least one of the following:
Eye involvement, defined as Schirmer's test with <5 mm wetting
Involvement of oral mucosa on lip biopsy or minor salivary glands
Other organ involvement
Overall severity categories: mild/moderate/severe
References
Thomas E, Storb R, Clift RA, Fefer A, Johnson FL, Neiman PE, Lerner KG, Glucksberg H, Buckner CD. Bone-marrow transplantation (first of two parts). N Engl J Med. 1975 Apr 17;292(16):832-43 link to original articlePubMed
Thomas ED, Storb R, Clift RA, Fefer A, Johnson L, Neiman PE, Lerner KG, Glucksberg H, Buckner CD. Bone-marrow transplantation (second of two parts). N Engl J Med. 1975 Apr 24;292(17):895-902 link to original article(contains staging scale)PubMed
Rowlings PA, Przepiorka D, Klein JP, Gale RP, Passweg JR, Henslee-Downey PJ, Cahn JY, Calderwood S, Gratwohl A, Socié G, Abecasis MM, Sobocinski KA, Zhang MJ, Horowitz MM. IBMTR Severity Index for grading acute graft-versus-host disease: retrospective comparison with Glucksberg grade. Br J Haematol. 1997 Jun;97(4):855-64. link to original articlePubMed