Biomarkers for GVHD After Transplantation

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), caused by donor T cells attacking recipient tissues. GVHD affects several organs, including the skin, liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, eyes, and lungs. Clinically, it presents with skin rashes, increased bilirubin levels, and diarrhea. While symptoms can be partly managed with steroid treatment as the first-line therapy, about 50% of patients develop steroid-refractory disease. Several drugs have been approved by the US FDA as second- and third-line treatments, yet GVHD remains a challenging complication and the leading cause of non-relapse mortality after allogenic HSCT. Although multiple biomarkers have been proposed to assist in GVHD diagnosis, none have been clinically validated. This underscores the need to develop new biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of GVHD. Using multi-omic technologies in liquid biopsies from HSCT patients, this project aims to develop and validate a panel of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for GVHD. The project will lead to the development of a non-invasive blood-based test that will improve early detection of GVHD.

Mohammad Imran Khan, Usman Binyam, Ashraf Dada.