University of
Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers
can accurately predict, one week after a bone marrow transplant, which patients will develop graft vs. host disease,
GVHD, a serious and deadly complication where the body rejects the new bone marrow, by measuring the level of a protein
called tumor necrosis factor, TNF, a trigger for inflammation. TNF is elevated in patients who will develop GVHD. The
advantage to knowing which patients are at risk, before any physical symptoms of GVHD, gives the medical team an
advance opportunity to treat patients showing elevated TNF levels with anti-TNF drugs. Clinical trials with anti-TNF
drugs are being conducted now.Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Inflammation predicts bone marrow transplant survival
University of
Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers
can accurately predict, one week after a bone marrow transplant, which patients will develop graft vs. host disease,
GVHD, a serious and deadly complication where the body rejects the new bone marrow, by measuring the level of a protein
called tumor necrosis factor, TNF, a trigger for inflammation. TNF is elevated in patients who will develop GVHD. The
advantage to knowing which patients are at risk, before any physical symptoms of GVHD, gives the medical team an
advance opportunity to treat patients showing elevated TNF levels with anti-TNF drugs. Clinical trials with anti-TNF
drugs are being conducted now.
