Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant HSCT) and is a reaction of donor immune cells against a host's healthy tissues.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a treatment for hematologic diseases. It involves the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells, including donor T-cells.

Donor T-cells are a type of white blood cell that recognize and destroy foreign invaders, and damaged or cancerous cells in the body.

The activation of T-cells after HSCT can result in severe immune-mediated tissue damage to the host, with the skin, liver and gastrointestinal tract being the most common targets.

Orencia (abatacept) is the first FDA-approved therapy to prevent acute graft versus host disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Orencia is indicated for the prophylaxis of acute graft versus host disease, in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate, in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a matched or 1 allele-mismatched unrelated donor.

Drugs used to treat Graft Versus Host Disease - Prophylaxis