Science Highlights
Published on February 09, 2026
Clinical effectiveness and safety of belumosudil in chronic GVHD
by Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Rathje K, Gagelmann N, Heidenreich S, et al. Belumosudil for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. 2025; (doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2025.11.019).
Researchers agree on the robust potential of belumosudil as a treatment for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), which can develop following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although the drug was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021 as a third-line intervention, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis showcases its safety and efficacy across diverse study designs and patient characteristics. The investigation included 16 studies, both prospective and retrospective in nature, and a total of 651 adult patients. One notable finding was the favorable overall response rate associated with belumosudil — as high as 73% among the prospective studies and 60% in the pooled analysis. Response was greatest in cGVHD cases with gastrointestinal or joint/fascia involvement, at 52% each, but low at 25% for patients with pulmonary cGVHD. Belumosudil was also noted for its safety profile. Pooled overall survival reached 87%, and adverse events were generally manageable despite their frequent occurrence. Additional research into patient-specific factors, including immune profiling and biomarkers of disease activity, could support personalized treatment strategies that improve patient outcomes, according to the analysis.
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Transplantation and Cellular Therapy