Multicenter phase 3 study of adding mesenchymal stromal cells to second-line treatment for steroid-resistant aGVHD

There is no standard second-line treatment for steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease (SR aGVHD). A multicenter phase 3 study in China evaluated addition of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to basiliximab and calcineurin inhibitor as second-line therapy for SR aGVHD. Adding MSCs to basiliximab and calcineurin inhibitor for steroid-resistant aGVHD was well-tolerated and was associated with better overall response and durable response and with longer failure-free and overall survival.