Thalidomide has been reported to be an effective agent for treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (CGVHD). To determine the efficacy of this agent in patients with refractory CGVHD a total of 80 patients who failed to respond to prednisone (PSE) or PSE and cyclosporine (CSA) were treated with thalidomide. Sixteen patients (20%) had a sustained response, 9 with a complete remission and 7 with a partial response. Twenty-nine patients (36%) had thalidomide discontinued because of side effects, which included sedation, constipation, neuritis, skin rash, and neutropenia. Side effects were reversible with drug discontinuation except for mild residual neuritis in one case. Rashes and neutropenia have not previously been reported as thalidomide side effects when used for CGVHD treatment. We conclude thalidomide is immunosuppressive and active in the treatment of CGVHD. A high incidence of reversible side effects limited dose intensity and reduced the number of patients who could benefit from treatment.
MULTICENTER STUDY|
November 1, 1995
Thalidomide as salvage therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease
PM Parker,
PM Parker
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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N Chao,
N Chao
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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A Nademanee,
A Nademanee
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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MR O'Donnell,
MR O'Donnell
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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GM Schmidt,
GM Schmidt
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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DS Snyder,
DS Snyder
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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AS Stein,
AS Stein
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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EP Smith,
EP Smith
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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A Molina,
A Molina
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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DE Stepan
DE Stepan
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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Blood (1995) 86 (9): 3604–3609.
Citation
PM Parker, N Chao, A Nademanee, MR O'Donnell, GM Schmidt, DS Snyder, AS Stein, EP Smith, A Molina, DE Stepan; Thalidomide as salvage therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease. Blood 1995; 86 (9): 3604–3609. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V86.9.3604.bloodjournal8693604
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