leflunomide + corticosteroids

Leflunomide + corticosteroids is a combination therapy being investigated by City of Hope Medical Center for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Leflunomide is a small molecule immunosuppressant that acts as a prodrug to its active metabolite, A77 1726, which inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). This inhibition blocks the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, which is essential for the proliferation of activated T-lymphocytes. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or methylprednisolone, are standard-of-care immunosuppressants that function as glucocorticoid receptor agonists, leading to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the modulation of the immune response. The combination is being evaluated in a Phase I pilot trial to determine if adding leflunomide to systemic steroid therapy can improve outcomes and safety in patients with aGVHD.

Other names

Leflunomide in Combination With SteroidsLeflunomide and Steroid TherapyLeflunomide and corticosteroids