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Graft-versus-host Disease

Long-term safety and efficacy of autologous platelet lysate drops for treatment of ocular GvHD

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 52, pages 101–106 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Current ocular GvHD (oGvHD) treatments are suboptimal. We investigated the safety and efficacy of long-term continuous treatment with autologous platelet lysate (PL) drops in patients with oGvHD Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) score 2–3 refractory to topical conventional therapy. Ophthalmic evaluation was performed at 6 month intervals. Symptoms were assessed using the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS). Patients were defined 'responders' when showing a reduction at least one grade on National Institutes of Health Eye Score from baseline at the 6 month visit. Thirty-one patients were included, and 16 (51%) completed 36 months of follow-up (range 6.5–72.7). At 6 months all patients were classified as responders: median GSS symptom score decreased from 70 to 41 (33 at 36 months), median GSS function score reduced from 68 to 46 (33 at 36 months) (all P<0.001). Median Tear Break Up Time improved from 3 to 6 s after 6 months and was maintained over time. All signs improved at 6 and 36 months (clinical and statistical significance). No severe adverse events occurred. Long-term treatment with PL drops is secure and effective for oGvHD and can be an efficient therapy option from initial stages of oGvHD to prevent permanent ocular impairment and improving quality of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy

    S Pezzotta, G C Rossi, P E Bianchi & E Antoniazzi

  2. Immunohaematology and Transfusion Service, Apheresis Unit, IRCCS Policlinico S Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy

    C Del Fante & C Perotti

  3. Biostatistic and clinical epidemiology unit, Scientific Direction, IRCCS Policlinic San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy

    L Scudeller

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  1. S Pezzotta
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  2. C Del Fante
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  3. L Scudeller
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  4. G C Rossi
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  5. C Perotti
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  6. P E Bianchi
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  7. E Antoniazzi
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Correspondence to S Pezzotta.

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Pezzotta, S., Del Fante, C., Scudeller, L. et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of autologous platelet lysate drops for treatment of ocular GvHD. Bone Marrow Transplant 52, 101–106 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2016.221

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2016.221

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