Data from Ultra Low-Dose IL-2 for GVHD Prophylaxis after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Mediates Expansion of Regulatory T Cells without Diminishing Antiviral and Antileukemic Activity
Year: 2023
Type: other
Abstract: Purpose: GVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) has been associated with low numbers of circulating CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Because Tregs express high levels of the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, they may selectively expand in vivo in response to doses of IL-2 insufficient to stimulate T effector T-cell populations, thereby preventing GVHD. Experimental Design: We prospectively evaluated the effects of ultra low-dose (ULD) IL-2 injections on Treg recovery in pediatric patients after alloSCT and compared this recovery with Treg reconstitution post alloSCT in patients without IL-2. Sixteen recipients of related (n = 12) or unrelated (n = 4) donor grafts received ULD IL-2 post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT; 100,000–200,000 IU/m2 ×3 per week), starting Results: No grade 3/4 toxicities were associated with ULD IL-2. CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs increased from a mean of 4.8% (range, 0%–11.0%) pre IL-2 to 11.1% (range, 1.2%–31.1%) following therapy, with the greatest change occurring in the recipients of matched related donor (MRD) transplants. No IL-2 patients developed grade 2–4 acute GVHD (aGVHD), compared with 4 of 33 (12%) of the comparator group who did not receive IL-2. IL-2 recipients retained T cells reactive to viral and leukemia antigens, and in the MRD recipients, only 2 of 13 (15%) of the IL-2 patients developed viral infections versus 63% of the comparator group (P = 0.022). Conclusions: Hence, ULD IL-2 is well tolerated, expands a Treg population in vivo, and may be associated with a lower incidence of viral infections and GVHD. Clin Cancer Res; 20(8); 2215–25. ©2014 AACR.
Authors: Alana A. Kennedy-Nasser, Stephanie Ku, Paul Castillo-Caro, Yasmin Hazrat, Meng-Fen Wu, Hao Liu, Jos Melenhorst, A. John Barrett, Sawa Ito, Aaron Foster, Barbara Savoldo, Eric Yvon, George Carrum, Carlos A. Ramos, Robert A. Krance, Kathryn Leung, Helen E. Heslop, Malcolm K. Brenner, Catherine M. Bollard
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4361945119