Successful treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by early administration of a short course of methylprednisolone

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most common and important regimen-related toxicities observed after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). There are no universally accepted preventative or therapeutic approaches for VOD. We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of a short course of methylprednisolone (MP) in 48 patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT who were diagnosed with hepatic VOD. MP was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg i.v. every 12 h for a total of 14 doses, and then discontinued without taper. Thirty (63%) patients responded with a reduction in total serum bilirubin of 50% or more after 10 days of treatment. In univariate analysis, non-responders had a higher total bilirubin at the start of MP therapy, more weight gain, evidence of fungal infection and platelet refractoriness. High SGPT and early engraftment were significant factors among responders. Twenty-five of the 30 responders survived up to day +100, whereas all but three non-responders died within 100 days post-HSCT, for a probability of survival of 58% among responders and 10% for non-responders. Prospective comparative studies are needed to confirm the observed encouraging outcome of MP therapy for VOD.