WASHINGTON, DC – New understanding of changes in risk factors for acute graft-versus-host disease may help identify high-risk patients and lead to greater success in blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), according to scientists from the BMT Program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). Results of their retrospective analysis will be presented at the 97^th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 1-5, in the Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.*

“Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality that limits the success of blood and marrow transplantation, and risk factors for aGVHD have changed,” said Theresa Hahn, PhD, Department of Medicine. “Although risk factors have changed, the number of new cases has not changed.” Patient characteristics and treatment factors that increase the risk of aGVHD after a related, HLA-matched allogeneic BMT were evaluated in more than 2,400 patients reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Research by 226 centers worldwide between 1995 and 2002. The patient cohort was separated into two groups based on when they were transplanted – early (1995-1998) and late (1999-2002).

The researchers found that patient characteristics such as age of recipient, performance status and recipient/donor CMV status, changed over time, but that the cumulative incidence of aGVHD did not change. Further, of the risk factors analyzed in the early group – race, age, disease, disease status, conditioning and donor pregnancy – only age and conditioning regimen remained significant risk factors for aGVHD in the late group.

“These results indicate that although the cumulative incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD has not changed over time, the risk factors for this outcome have changed,” said Dr. Hahn. “A determination of pre-BMT risk factors for aGVHD may identify high-risk patients who may benefit from more intensive immunosuppression post-BMT.”

            Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Members include more than 24,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers, health care professionals, and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and in more than 60 other countries.         

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment, and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org

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*Editor’s Note: (Abstract # 2881) “Risk Factors for Acute GVHD After Related HLA-Matched Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplant” Embargoed until Monday, April 3, 1 pm

Exhibit Hall, Washington Convention Center, Poster Session: Early Clinical Studies of Emerging Immunotherapy Approaches.