Predicting graft-versus-host disease

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication that occurs after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and contributes to transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in the measurement of recipient-specific alloreactivity before marrow grafting have led to the development of in vitro assays that sufficiently predict the occurrence of moderate to severe acute GVHD. This predicative information provides the basis for attempts to minimize, or prevent, GVHD by prospective donor selection and individualized immunotherapeutic strategies.