Know GvHD was pleased to speak to Hildegard Greinix, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. We asked, What is steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and how is it treated?

Greinix begins by explaining that steroids remain the first-line treatment for chronic GvHD, while emphasizing the importance of gradually reducing the dose and eventually stopping their use in patients who respond. She explains the concepts of steroid-refractory GvHD, where patients do not respond to steroids, and steroid-dependent GvHD, where patients are stable on steroids but GvHD persists – highlighting the need to consider second-line therapies. The ultimate goal is the absence of signs and symptoms of GvHD and being able to stop steroids completely.