Induction of autologous graft-versus-host disease after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Background: Autologous graft-versus-host disease has been reported after the administration of cyclosporine in patients who have received autologous bone marrow transplantation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether autologous graft-versus-host disease could be induced in recipients of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and whether tacrolimus induced the disease instead of cyclosporine. Methods: Twelve patients with acute leukemia and 5 patients with malignant lymphoma received either cyclosporine (1 mg/kg/day) or tacrolimus (0.05 mg/kg/day) orally after autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Results: Autologous graft-versus-host disease of the skin, confirmed by histopathologic criteria, occurred in 40% of the patients at 8 to 25 days after transplantation and lasted 3 to 15 days. The frequency of autologous graft-versus-host disease was approximately the same (40%) irrespective of the source of the graft (bone marrow cells or peripheral blood stem cells) and the drug used for induction (cyclosporine or tacrolimus). Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that autologous graft-versus-host disease can be induced in recipients of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation by cyclosporine or tacrolimus. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:S457-61.)