Differential effects of donor lymphocyte infusion upon treatment response and GVHD according to relapse level and donor sources in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

INTRODUCTION: -host disease (GVHD). METHODS: By analyzing 61 patients receiving DLI for post-transplant MDS relapse, we assessed treatment outcomes and affecting factors, especially focusing on the level of relapse (hematological, molecular, and imminent relapse). RESULTS: cell doses triggering GVHD tended to be lower in cases with haploidentical donor or imminent relapse. CONCLUSION: Despite being limited by small number of cases and its retrospective nature, this study again demonstrated the therapeutic effects of DLI in relapsed MDS, and that earlier detection and intervention at lower level relapse might possibly be associated with better results. Furthermore, we propose that tailored cell dosing schedule based on relapse level and donor source may be helpful in minimizing fatal GVHD.