New approach aims to tame transplant rejection without steroids

This study tested whether the drug ibrutinib could be used as the first treatment for people newly diagnosed with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a serious complication where donor cells attack the body after a stem cell transplant. The goal was to see if starting with ibrutinib could effectively control the disease and reduce or avoid the need for steroid medications, which have significant side effects. Ten adults with moderate or severe, newly diagnosed cGVHD took ibrutinib daily for up to two years while researchers monitored their response and safety.