Oncology

Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Expert Roundtables Podcast: New Approaches to Treatment and the Importance of Add-On Therapy for Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

expert roundtables by Amin M. Alousi, MD; Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C); Doris M. Ponce, MD, MS

Overview

<p>Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains difficult to manage, particularly steroid-refractory cases. With several US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved targeted agents now available for cGVHD, the focus is shifting toward add-on and combination therapies to achieve deeper responses and enhance long-term outcomes and quality of life. Our latest podcast delves into these strategies.</p>

References

Chin MM, Tamaresis JS, Johnston LJ, et al. Belumosudil combination therapy for chronic graft-versus-host-disease in real-world clinical practice. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2025;60(3):393-395. doi:10.1038/s41409-024-02476-z

El Jurdi N, Blazar BR, Pavletic SZ. Chronic graft-versus-host disease, part 2: clinical success and roadmap to the future. Transplantation. 2025;109(9):e446-e454. doi:10.1097/TP.0000000000005345

Lee SJ, Pavletic S, Blazar BR, et al; KD025-208 and ROCKstar Study Investigators. Belumosudil for chronic graft-versus-host disease: analysis of long-term results from the KD025-208 and ROCKstar studies. Transplant Cell Ther. 2025;31(7):434.e1-434.e10. doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2025.04.020

Lee SJ, Williams KM, Sarantopoulos S, et al. NIH Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Consensus Conference 2025 update. Transplant Cell Ther. 2025;31(9):678.e1-678.e16. doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.016

Miklos DB, Abu Zaid M, Cooney JP, et al. Ibrutinib for first-line treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease: results from the randomized phase III iNTEGRATE study. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(10):1876-1887. doi:10.1200/JCO.22.00509

Zhao YM, Luo Y, Shi JM, et al. A first-in-class JAK/ROCK inhibitor, rovadicitinib, for glucocorticoid-refractory or -dependent chronic GVHD. Blood. 2025;145(24):2857-2872. doi:10.1182/blood.2024026581

Profile

Amin M. Alousi, MD

Professor of Medicine and Inpatient Medical Director
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Director, GVHD Clinic and Research Program
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Profile

Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C)

Director, Stem Cell Transplantation Program
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

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Doris M. Ponce, MD, MS

Director, GVHD Program
Cochair, Center for Hematologic Malignancies Research Council
Associate Professor of Medicine
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY