LAUSR

Abstract Large number of studies was published about predictive value of cytokines for graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recently, there has been a growing interest in GVHD prophylaxis with post‐transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Clinical data on the dynamics of proinflammatory cytokines with this prophylaxis is lacking. In this study, we have measured the levels of IL‐17, IL‐6, IL‐8, IFN‐&ggr; and TNF‐&agr; in plasma on days −7, 0, +7, +14 and after engraftment in 20 patients with acute GVHD and 40 matched control patients with PTCy‐based prophylaxis. Low levels of IL‐8 (p = 0.04) on day +7 and IFN‐&ggr; (p = 0.03) after engraftment were associated with grade II‐IV acute GVHD. The same pattern was observed for severe acute GVHD. Low IFN‐&ggr; after engraftment was also associated with increased non‐relapse mortality (p = 0.014). No impact of cytokine levels on overall survival and relapse incidence was observed (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the dynamics of IL‐8 and IFN‐&ggr; in GVHD patients after PTCy was different from previously reported after conventional prophylaxis.