The role of biomarkers in risk stratification, treatment and outcome in acute GVHD.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality among recipients. Predicting the long-term outcomes at the time of diagnosis of GVHD or even after response to up-front therapy can be challenging and only has modest accuracy. With biomarkers available to help guide decision-making, the landscape of GVHD is evolving. RECENT FINDINGS Several acute GVHD biomarkers have been identified, with some better able to categorize patients based on their GVHD severity and potential for refractory disease than standard clinical staging or response criteria. SUMMARY Biomarkers are now being incorporated into the clinical trial design for both high and low-risk GVHD. These findings will likely impact how clinical care is delivered in the future as improved risk stratification has the potential to improve outcomes by providing individualized treatment plans for affected patients.