Graft-versus-tumor effect
Graft-versus-tumor effect (GVT) or "graft versus leukemia" effect is the beneficial aspect of the Graft-versus-Host phenomenon. For example, HSCT patients with either acute and in particular chronic graft-versus-host disease after an allogeneic transplant tend to have a lower risk of cancer relapse. This is due to a therapeutic immune reaction of the grafted donor T lymphocytes
against the diseased bone marrow of the recipient. This lower rate of
relapse accounts for the increased success rate of allogeneic
transplants, compared to transplants from identical twins, and indicates
that allogeneic HSCT is a form of immunotherapy. GVT is the major
benefit of transplants that do not employ the highest immuno-suppressive
regimens.
Graft versus tumor is mainly beneficial
in diseases with slow progress, e.g. chronic leukemia, low-grade
lymphoma, and some cases multiple myeloma. However, it is less effective
in rapidly growing acute leukemias.
If cancer relapses after
HSCT, another transplant can be performed, infusing the patient with a
greater quantity of donor white blood cells.
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