Explore advanced treatment for graft versus host disease at Liv Hospital. From standard therapies to cutting-edge Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and ECP.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Treatment and Procedures
The diagnosis of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) can be unsettling, but the landscape of treatment has expanded significantly in recent years. At Liv Hospital, our philosophy is not just to suppress the symptoms, but to recalibrate the immune system.
The primary goal of treatment for graft versus host disease is a delicate balancing act: we must suppress the “new” immune cells enough to stop them from attacking your organs, but not so much that we lose the “Graft-Versus-Tumor” effect—the beneficial process where donor cells destroy remaining cancer cells. Our multidisciplinary team tailors this balance for every patient, moving from standard protocols to advanced cellular therapies when necessary.
For most patients diagnosed with acute or chronic GVHD, the immediate goal is to reduce inflammation.
Corticosteroids (such as prednisone or methylprednisolone) remain the “gold standard” and first step in treatment. They work rapidly to suppress the immune response.
To allow the patient to eventually lower their steroid dose (and avoid long-term steroid side effects), physicians often add calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
These drugs work by inhibiting T-cell activation, essentially “calming down” the donor cells.
Approximately 30-50% of patients may not respond fully to steroids, a condition known as Steroid-Refractory GVHD. In the past, this was difficult to treat, but today, Liv Hospital offers robust “second-line” and “third-line” therapies.
Newer medications target specific pathways inside the immune cells.
For patients who need an alternative to heavy medication, Liv Hospital utilizes Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP). Think of this as “dialysis for your white blood cells.”
The Procedure:
The Benefit: This process triggers the treated cells to die (apoptosis) in a controlled way. When the body cleans up these dying cells, it signals the immune system to “reset” and stop the attack, all without suppressing the entire immune system like chemotherapy would.
This is where Liv Hospital distinguishes itself as a center of excellence for international patients. Through our LivMedCell (Regenerative Medicine Stem Cell Manufacturing Center), we produce and utilize advanced cellular products that are not widely available in standard clinical settings.
When GVHD is severe or refractory to other treatments, we may utilize Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
Treating GVHD is not just about medications; it is about preserving the body’s function.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
There is no fixed timeline. Acute GVHD treatment might last a few months. Chronic GVHD treatment is often a longer journey, potentially lasting 1 to 3 years. The goal is always to eventually wean off all immunosuppression (tolerance induction).
Long-term steroid use can cause bone weakening, high blood sugar, muscle weakness, and increased risk of infection. This is why our team aggressively seeks to transition patients to “steroid-sparing” treatments like ECP or MSCs as soon as possible.
Yes, MSCs have an excellent safety profile. Because they do not express the HLA markers that trigger rejection, they are generally well-tolerated and do not cause GVHD themselves.
Never stop GVHD medication abruptly. Doing so can cause a severe “flare” where symptoms return more aggressively. Dose reduction must be done under strict doctor supervision.
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