The role of dendritic cells in graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Funded Activity Summary

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) remains the most effect curative treatment for patients with a number of malignant conditions, especially leukemia. Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) ocurrs when the newly transplanted bone marrow (which includes the immune system) recognises the transplant recipient as foreign and mounts an immune attack against patient tissues. GVHD is the major complication of BMT and is responsible for the death of up to half of the patients who receive this procedure. Research to date by Dr Hill and colleages has provided substantial detail on how and why this process occurs. This information has led to a number of advances in the field which are already improving patient survival after BMT. This includes a new type of bone marrow transplantation that uses a naturally ocurring growth factor (called a cytokine) to allow the collection of immature bone marrow cells from the blood of transplant donors. The transplantation of these cells rather than bone marrow appears to reduce the chance of dying during BMT and also improves the cure rates from the underlying leukemia. In addition, Dr Hill has developed a novel method for preventing GVHD using different types of naturally ocurring growth factors called cytokine shields that help protect patient tissue from attack by the immune system. It has recently become clear that the immune system is directed by a subtype of white cells called dendritic cells and Professor Hart at the Mater Medical Research Institute has been a pioneer in this field. As initiators of the immune system it is likely that dendritic cells play a pivotal role in GVHD and Dr Hill and Prof Hart at the Mater Medical Research Institute will study DC within the context of Dr Hills newly developed therapies with the aim of further understanding the processes of GVHD. This work will allow manipulation of these cells during BMT in order to improve patient survival.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $317,633.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Dermatology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

Bone Marrow Transplantation | Cancer | Cytokines | Dendritic cells | Graft-versus-Host Disease | Graft-versus-Tumor Effect | Leukemia | Lymphoma

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