Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an immunosuppressive lysosomotropic amine that has activity against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We previously reported low incidences of acute GVHD in unrelated donor transplant recipients who received prophylactic HCQ in addition to standard GVHD prophylaxis (

BBMT 2003; 9: 714–721
). We herein report results of a single-institution phase III trial, in which 95 recipients of matched sibling allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation were randomized to receive, in a double-blind fashion, and in addition to prophylactic cyclosporine A (CSA), HCQ or placebo starting 21 days pre-transplant and continued until d+365. HCQ was very well tolerated and not associated with side effects. The addition of HCQ had no effects on lymphocyte subsets both pre- and post-transplant. Overall, the incidence of acute GVHD was 59% in both arms, and severe acute GVHD occurred in 11% (HCQ) and 14% (placebo) (p=0.76). Sixty-one and 46% of patients developed chronic GVHD in the placebo and the HCQ arms, respectively (p = 0.15). With a median follow-up of 18 months, relapse-free and overall survivals were comparable in both groups. In summary, in this randomized trial, the addition of HCQ to single agent CSA was not associated with a reduction of either acute or chronic GVHD; additionally, no significant effects on relapses or survival were observed.

Topics:
graft-versus-host disease, hydroxychloroquine, peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, graft-versus-host disease, acute, graft-versus-host disease, chronic, transplantation, adverse effects, amines, cyclosporine, follow-up

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2005, The American Society of Hematology
2005
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