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The complex and central role of interferon‐γ in graft‐versus‐host disease and graft‐versus‐tumor activity
Author(s) -
Wang Hui,
Yang YongGuang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/imr.12151
Subject(s) - graft versus host disease , immunology , disease , leukemia , transplantation , hematopoietic cell , cytokine , effector , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , haematopoiesis , medicine , biology , stem cell , genetics
Summary Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐ HCT ) is increasingly being performed to treat patients with hematologic malignancies. However, separating the beneficial graft‐versus‐tumor ( GVT ) or graft‐versus‐leukemia effects from graft‐versus‐host disease ( GVHD ) has been difficult and remains a significant challenge toward improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxicity of allo‐ HCT . GVHD is induced by donor T cells that also mediate potent anti‐tumor responses. However, despite the largely shared effector mechanisms, extensive animal studies have demonstrated the potential of dissociating the GVT effect from GVHD . Also in many clinical cases, long‐term remission was achieved following allo‐ HCT , without significant GVHD . A better mechanistic understanding of the immunopathophysiology of GVHD and GVT effects may potentially help to improve allo‐ HCT as well as maximize the benefit of GVT effects while minimizing GVHD . In this article, we review the role of IFN ‐γ in regulation of alloresponses following allo‐ HCT , with a focus on the mechanisms of how this cytokine may separate GVHD from GVT effects.