Certain medicines to prevent GVHD help patients feel better
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide works better than other meds
Age20-78
Number of Participants431
Research GoalIncrease AccessImprove Quality of LifeImprove Survival
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (CGVHD) is a serious side effect of blood and marrow transplant (BMT).
In the last few years, doctors have started using a medicine called cyclophosphamide to prevent CGVHD. A clinical trial, called PROGRESS 3, compared 2 combinations of medicines given after transplant:
In the last few years, doctors have started using a medicine called cyclophosphamide to prevent CGVHD. A clinical trial, called PROGRESS 3, compared 2 combinations of medicines given after transplant:
- Cyclophosphamide with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil
- Tacrolimus with methotrexate
Patients who got cyclophosphamide lived longer without CGVHD, compared to patients who got other medicines.
In this study, doctors followed up to see how patients were feeling. Patients took 4 surveys during the first year after transplant.
Patients who got cyclophosphamide had fewer symptoms of CGVHD than patients who got other meds. Symptoms include problems with:
In this study, doctors followed up to see how patients were feeling. Patients took 4 surveys during the first year after transplant.
Patients who got cyclophosphamide had fewer symptoms of CGVHD than patients who got other meds. Symptoms include problems with:
- Digestion
- Eyes
- Joints
- Lungs
- Mood
- Skin
- Sleep
Doctors measured who was more likely to be alive without CGVHD 2 years after transplant:
- About 40% (4 in 10 patients) in the cyclophosphamide group
- About 30% (3 in 10 patients) in the group who got other medicines
Keep in mind
Some patients did not complete surveys, so their quality of life is unknown.
Learn more about
- GVHD at NMDP.org
- Clinical trials for GVHD at CTsearchsupport.org
- More study summaries at CIBMTR.org