Pre-Transplant ATG Protects against GVHD in MDS

In this study of 242 consecutive patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for progressive myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), outcomes were compared between patients receiving rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG; n=93) and those who did not (n=149). Three-year overall and event-free survival, relapse, non-relapse mortality, and chronic GVHD were not significantly different between the two cohorts. Grade II-IV acute GVHD occurred more frequently in the no-ATG group than in the ATG group: 55% vs. 27%, respectively (p<0.0001). In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Andrea Bacigalupo concludes that this study "adds further evidence to the fact that ATG protects against GVHD without a detrimental effect on relapse and survival."

Duléry R, et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant