Prognostic value of T-1 cell numbers prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with severe graft-versus-host disease: Post-Transplant Events

Assessment of risk factors for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) might help in tailoring the intensity of prophylactic immunosuppression after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), thereby decreasing the relapse rate in leukaemia patients. In this study, we analysed whether the number of recipient blood T cells and plasma levels of different cytokines were correlated with the risk of aGvHD after allogeneic SCT. Analyses were performed in 23 patients receiving pSCT immediately before or during the first 2 days of the conditioning regimen. In all, 40 or more Tc-1 cells/ μ l pretransplant were associated with a significantly increased risk of aGvHD (10/10 patients with GvHD⩾II; 4/13 patients without aGvHD with a Tc-1 number >40/ μ l, P