Total nodal irradiation in patients with severe treatment-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Response rates and immunomodulatory effects

Abstract

Background and purpose: The use of total nodal irradiation (TNI) has been reported as an immunomodulatory therapy for different diseases including chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients with treatment-refractory cGVHD receiving TNI with 1×1Gy from 2001 to 2014. In 10 of 13 patients immunomodulatory effects of TNI were measured.

Results: At time of TNI all patients had severe cGVHD (involving the skin: n=12), fascia (n=6), oral mucosa (n=8), eye (n=8), and lung (n=5). Nine of 13 patients had corticosteroid-refractory cGVHD. In 7 of 13 patients (54%) a partial response (PR) could be achieved. In 3 patients (23%) cGVHD manifestations remained stable, 2 patients progressed. One patient was not evaluable due to follow-up <1 month. At 3 months after TNI, best responses could be achieved in skin, and oral involvement including steroid sparing activity. TNI was well tolerated with adverse effects limited to reversible thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Immunomodulatory effects on peripheral blood cells could be demonstrated including an increase of CD4+ T cells in the group of responders.

Conclusions: TNI represents an effective immunomodulating therapy in treatment-refractory cGVHD.

Keywords: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD); Corticosteroid-refractory chronic GVHD; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Immunomodulatory therapy; Total lymphoid irradiation; Total nodal irradiation.