[FK506 for the prophylaxis of graft-versus-host-disease after bone marrow transplantation from HLA-genotypically mismatched unrelated donor].

Eleven leukemia patients who had undergone bone marrow transplants from HLA-A, B, DR genotypically mismatched unrelated donors received FK506 and short-term methotrexate as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Grade III-IV acute GVHD developed in 2 of the patients, and chronic GVHD developed in 4 of the other patients. Adverse drug reaction included reversible nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia (all patients) and hypertension (9 patients). Hyperglycemia and hypertension of grade 3 or higher occurred mostly in the patients who were on supplemental steroids. However, severe nephrotoxicity was not observed. Complications included cystitis (4 patients), cytomegalovirus colitis (3 patients), Interstitial Pneumonitis (IP) (3 patients), tuberculosis (1 patient), and thrombotic microangiopathy (1 patient). None of patients relapsed. Although close monitoring of FK506 blood concentration and patient clinical signs are required, we concluded that FK506 is effective for GVHD prophylaxis after bone marrow transplantation from HLA-A, B, DR genotypically mismatched unrelated donors, and that adverse reactions due to FK506 are controllable. To determine the long-term effectiveness of this drug, it will be necessary to conduct prospective randomized studies that compare it wiht cycloporin A as a preventive treatment against GVHD in patients who receive bone marrow transplants from HLA genotypically mismatched unrelated donors.