Cell-derived extracellular vesicles may predict acute graft vs host disease after allogeneic transplant

From Hematology Advisor by Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

High levels of circulating extracellular vesicles (EV), including total circulating EV (TEV) and erythrocyte-derived EVs (EryEV), were associated with greater rates of acute graft vs host disease (aGVHD) among patients who underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) to treat a hematologic malignancy, according to the results of study published in the journal Experimental Hematology.

There is an unmet need for improved identification of GVHD and its treatment. EVs can serve as biomarkers of cell damage, among other functions. The aim of this study was to determine if EVs could indicate or predict GVHD after allo-SCT.