Donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies to treat and diagnose acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD)

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies can be used to detect and treat graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in transplant recipients after allogenic transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a treatment for severe hematologic disorders. Successful graft acceptance is most likely with fully human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors. However, when a perfect match is unavailable, alternatives such as haploidentical or umbilical cord blood transplants are used, increasing the risk of GVHD – a lethal complication in which donor immune cells attack the recipient's tissues. Immunosuppressive treatments such as steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and anti-thymocyte globulin can help manage GVHD but often cause severe side effects, including opportunistic infection and anaphylaxis. A new approach is critically needed to improve patient outcomes.

Stanford researchers have developed allele-specific anti-HLA monoclonal antibodies (ASHmAbs) to diagnose and treat allogeneic GVHD by selectively targeting donor-derived cells. When ASHmAbs were administered in severe GVHD mouse models, they effectively disrupted the donor cells responsible for GVHD, leading to successful engraftment. Their invention could help mitigate graft-versus-host reactivity while preserving recipient immune function.

Stage of Development
In vivo data