Using human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as salvage therapy for hepatic graft-versus-host disease resembling acute hepatitis

A 43-year-old woman with chronic hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who failed previous immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine and prednisone was treated with tacrolimus starting on day 165 after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Fifteen days later, tacrolimus was discontinued because of progressive deterioration of renal function. However, after changing treatment to human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSC), we observed rapid and complete resolution of hepatic GVHD and renal toxicity. We concluded that it is worthwhile to administer AMSC as a treatment for common hepatic GVHD, particularly for atypical cases presenting as acute hepatitis.