New hope for steroid-resistant GVHD: abatacept shows promise

This study tested a drug called abatacept in 56 people with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) that was not getting better with steroids. cGVHD happens when donor immune cells attack the patient's body after a stem cell transplant. Abatacept works by calming the immune system. The study first checked safety at two different doses, then looked at whether the drug could help control the disease. Participants received six doses over about 141 days and were monitored for side effects and response.