Parasitic Biological Agents for Treatment and Prevention of Graft Versus Host Disease
Researchersat The University of Iowa developed technology which treats bone marrowpatients with helminths, which limits signaling related to Th1 immune responses(associated with inflammation and the development of GVHD), and favors Th2 and regulatory immune responses. Patients are exposed to helminths that remainin the GI tract of the patients for the duration of their self-limitinginfection. The presence of these parasites in the gut stimulates signalingpathways in the host's immune system that promotes development of a T cellvariety, called Fox3p+ Tregs. These T-cells promote regulation of the immunesystem, and limits an immune response which results in the inflammation of GVHDand preserves GVT. A patent hascurrently been filed for this development (Patent No. 61/978,118).
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