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

Background: Autologous graft-versus-host disease has been reported after th e administration of cyclosporine in patients who have received autologous b one marrow transplantation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether autologous gr aft-versus-host disease could be induced in recipients of autologous periph eral blood stem cell transplantation and whether tacrolimus induced the dis ease 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 t ransplantation. Results: Autologous graft-versus host disease of the shin, confirmed by his topathologic criteria, occurred in 40% of the patients at 8 to 25 days afte r transplantation and lasted 3 to 15 days. The frequency of autologous graf t-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 di sease can be induced in recipients of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation by cyclosporine or tacrolimus.