Basiliximab for the Treatment of Steroid Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Management of steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation continues to be a major challenge; however, no standard second-line therapy exists. IL2 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute GVHD. Basiliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that blocks the alpha-chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor complex. We report our clinical experience with basiliximab in the second line management of steroid refractory acute GVHD.