Could a drug make stem cell transplants safer for blood cancer patients?

This study tested a drug called palifermin in 34 adults with blood cancers who received stem cells from an unrelated donor. The goal was to see if palifermin could reduce severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common complication where donor cells attack the patient's body. Participants received palifermin before transplant and were monitored for safety and side effects. The study found that palifermin was safe at certain doses, but lifelong medication is still needed after transplant, so this is not a cure.