Science Highlights
Published on November 02, 2026
Topical Clobetasol for Oral Chronic GVHD
by Blood Advances
El Jurdi N, Leinbach LI, Curtis LM, et al. A Randomized Phase 2 Placebo-Controlled Trial of Clobetasol Solution for Oral Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Therapy. Blood Advances. 2026; (doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2026020880).
Phase II study findings highlight clobetasol solution, a synthetic glucocorticoid in an aqueous base, as a promising topical option for patients with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. Among 40 participants treated with clobetasol 0.05% solution, 35 completed the 28-day intervention period. The solution was well tolerated by participants and yielded an overall response rate of 91%, including 19% who achieved a complete response and 72% who had a partial response. Researchers documented significant improvement in clinical disease and oral pain with clobetasol vs. placebo during the trial's 2-week placebo-controlled phase. The solution reduced oral mucosal T cells, IL-17-expressing cells, lymphocyte proliferation, and salivary IL-6 and CXCL10; however, new adrenal insufficiency was observed in 14 patients who were not already undergoing treatment with supraphysiologic glucocorticoids.
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