Acute graft-versus-host disease in thalassaemic marrow transplantation with low-dose antithymocyte globulin

Abstract

Our unit performed transplantations on 21 classes II and III thalassaemic patients [‎class II patients had either hepatomegaly or portal fibrosis and class III patients had both]‎. We used busulfan [‎15 mg/kg]‎ and cyclophosphamide [‎200 mg/kg]‎. Graft-versus-host disease [‎GVHD]‎ prophylaxis was cyclosporin, prednisolone and low-dose antithymocyte globulin. Our patient data showed a low incidence of acute GVHD following transplantation. We offer this regimen as an acceptable therapy for thalassaemic patients undergoing allogeneic marrow transplantation as a safe clinical procedure, irrespective of the class of patient