From understanding the molecular basis of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), to new diagnostic tools and innovative treatments for improving the management of patients undergoing allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Allogeneic haematopoietic-stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the treatment of choice for many malignant and non-malignant disorders. The development of novel strategies such as donor leukocyte infusion, nonmyeloablative HSCT, and cord blood transplantation allowed expanding the indications for allogeneic HSCT over the last several years, especially among older patients. However, the major toxicity of allogeneic HSCT, Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), remains a complication that limits its wider application. Despite advances in post-transplantation immunosuppressive therapy, GvHD remains a major life-threatening post-HSCT complication, developing in a substantial number of patients and resulting in poor outcome. Although in the last three decades the risk of GvHD has been reduced by modifying the transplant program and the stem cell source, yet significant challenges remain. The best hope for continued progress lies in the development of innovative treatments, thanks to a better understanding of GvHD pathogenesis, and in the identification of new easily measurable disease markers able to predict GvHD onset and therapy response. Along these hypotheses, the project comprises two lines of research. 1)The first one is focused on the potential role of Chemerin, an immunoregulatory molecule, in the pathogenesis of GvHD, with the aim to define new diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets for improving the management of post-transplant GvHD. 2)The second line of research is focused on the immunosuppressive factors produced by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), a novel very promising therapy for steroid-resistant GvHD.