How can graft versus host disease prevented?

How can graft versus host disease prevented?

Tissue typing labs have been developing and using more precise DNA level tests to enable your BMT Team to select the best HLA matched donor for you.

We try to lower your risk of developing GvHD by giving you preventive (prophylactic) medicines to suppress the immune system after your transplant. These medicines will decrease the ability of your donor’s cells to start an immune response against your own tissues.

Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections are major risks with this prophylactic medicine regimen, since your immune system will be suppressed and have a decreased ability to fight infection. You will be on prophylactic antibiotics, antifungals and antiviral medicines to decrease infection risks.

Research

New, and hopefully better, methods to prevent GvHD are being studied in clinical trials. The use of photopheresis, different immunosuppressive drugs, and new prophylaxis medications given to recipients after transplant are examples of some of that research.