New drug may reduce transplant complications in blood cancer patients

This study tested whether the drug palifermin could make stem cell transplants safer and reduce chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a serious complication where donor cells attack the patient's body. Thirty-four adults with blood cancers received palifermin before transplant. The goal was to find a safe dose and see if it lowered severe chronic GVHD. Participants needed long-term follow-up and medications, so this is about disease control, not a cure.