Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Steroid-Refractory Biopsy-Proven Grade III-IV Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease with Predominant Gastrointestinal Involvement

Adomas Bukauskas^1*Renata Jucaitienė¹Mindaugas Stoškus¹Vilma Valčeckienė¹Greta Bušmaitė¹Artūras Slobinas^1,2Linas Davainis¹Inga Šlepikienė¹Igoris Trociukas¹Valdas Pečeliūnas²Laimonas Griškevičius^1,2Andrius Žučenka^1,2

• ¹Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, VIlnius, Lithuania
• ²Hematology and Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

Introduction:Steroid-refractory acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (SR-aGVHD) is a potentially fatal complication occurring in approximately 60-70% of severe grade III-IV GVHD cases, with a higher incidence in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement. GI aGVHD is associated with poor prognosis, with a 2-year overall survival (OS) rate of only 25% in patients with stage 3-4 GI involvement. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their favorable efficacy and safety profile. However, data on bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs use in biopsy-proven grade III-IV SR-aGVHD with GI involvement, particularly in stage 3-4 cases, remain limited. Methods:This prospective, observational, single-arm, single-center study assessed the efficacy and safety of BM-derived MSCs for treating adult patients with biopsy-proven grade III-IV SR-aGVHD with predominant GI involvement. Early (1st-2nd) passage BM-derived MSCs were administered weekly at a target dose of 1x10e6 MSC/kg in two regimens: up to three (MSC3) and six doses (MSC6). Results:Fifty-seven adult patients with biopsy-proven III-IV grade SR-aGVHD (93% with GI involvement) received MSC treatment. The overall response rate (ORR) was 39% and 42% on Days 14 and 28, respectively, with no significant differences between the two MSC groups (D28 ORR 38% for MSC3 and 44% for MSC6). In patients with stage 3-4 GI involvement, the ORR was 26% and 36% at the corresponding time points with comparable efficacy between the two MSC groups (D28 ORR 31% for MSC3 and 38% for MSC6). Day 14 and Day 28 responders had significantly higher OS compared to non-responders (52% vs. 7%,p=0.000; 54% vs. 5%,p=0.000), with a comparable OS benefit observed in patients with stage 3-4 GI involvement (45% vs. 8%,p=0.005; 42% vs. 6%,p=0.005), respectively. MSC treatment had a favorable safety profile. The one, 5 and 10-year OS rates were 27%, 24%, and 24%, respectively. Conclusions:The grade III-IV SR-aGVHD patients, including cases with biopsy-proven severe GI involvement, had significantly better clinical outcomes if responses to MSC treatment were observed on Days 14 and 28. Intensified MSC administration schedule has failed to improve the clinical outcomes. MSC studies focusing on aGVHD prevention and (or) first-line treatment in combination with other agents should be considered.