The hidden struggle of graft-versus-host disease
Sanofi calls on parliamentarians to raise awareness of graft-versus-host disease
This article was funded and initiated by Sanofi and reviewed by Sanofi for compliance.
For over a thousand people who undergo a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, survival comes at a cost: graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).1 GvHD is a life-altering condition which affects 30 to 40 per cent of people who undergo stem cell or bone marrow transplants, yet remains not fully understood.2, 3
Despite its impact, GvHD is rarely talked about. Patients go from celebrating remission to facing a new, unpredictable illness that can strip them of mobility, independence, identity and quality of life.4 It’s time to bring GvHD out of the shadows – because survival should mean more than just living.
Following GvHD Day earlier this week, we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the GvHD community to speak about the ‘ABCs of GVHD’ - ‘A’ is for Advocate, for ‘B’ for those undergoing Blood and Marrow Transplantation, not forgetting their ‘C’ for Caregivers. We will raise awareness of ‘S’ for Symptoms of ‘G’ for GvHD and the ‘R’ for Resilience of those who live with this condition. At Sanofi, we are committed to standing with the community to raise awareness of GvHD.
What is graft-versus-host-disease?
GvHD is caused by an immune response following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, where the immune cells from the graft attack the host cells.5 This can cause a range of severe disabilities and impact a number of organs, with subsequent treatments leaving those affected increasingly vulnerable to infection.4
In England, every year, around 1,100 adults and 300 children undergo stem cell or bone marrow transplants.6 Around a third of these people will develop GvHD, a complication of transplant which is not fully understood, and can often have a profound impact on quality of life.4
How does graft-versus-host-disease impact people?
In 2022, Anthony Nolan surveyed 27 participants to understand the physical, psychological, and social/economic impact of cGvHD (chronic GvHD).7 The quantitative study was funded by Sanofi.*
*Please note, symptoms are not exhaustive and patient experiences may differ.
It found that:
- 69 per cent of patients reported that cGvHD impacted their mental health, and 78 per cent felt they were a burden to others due to their condition
- more than 50 per cent of respondents reported that cGvHD had a high impact on patients’ ability to work, exercise, enjoy life, and plan for the future
- 90 per cent of carers felt that caring for someone with cGvHD impacted their ability to plan for the future or work/study, and 60 per cent said their finances were affected
GvHD [can] take up patients' time. It [can] stop them from getting back to work. It [can] stop them from earning money. It [may not] let them go back to their normal life. And I think that's the biggest thing. That's where the game-changer is. They [may not] get that normal life back
Suzanne Liebersbach, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Bone Marrow Transplant
Given its impact on quality of life, there is an urgent need to address the daily and long-term challenges faced by patients and those preparing to undergo stem cell transplants.
We therefore have an opportunity to stand with the GvHD community. We call on you to raise awareness of this condition in Parliament.
If you have any questions, please contact Sanofi via Laura Wetherly at laura.wetherly@sanofi.com.
MAT-XU-2500489 (v1.0)
February 2025
- Anthony Nolan. 2021. Analysis of hospital activity and costs following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in England. Available at: https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/analysis-of-hospital-activity-and-costs.pdf [Last accessed: February 2025]
- Anthony Nolan. 2021. Analysis of hospital activity and costs following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in England. Available at: https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/analysis-of-hospital-activity-and-costs.pdf [Last accessed: February 2025]
- Anthony Nolan. 2021. An essential guide to graft versus host disease (GvHD). Available at: 2630PA Essential Guide to GvHD_Website.pdf [Last accessed: February 2025]
- Data on file - cGVHD Impact on QoL Qualitative Stage Research Presentation
- Anthony Nolan. 2021. An essential guide to graft versus host disease (GvHD). Available at: 2630PA Essential Guide to GvHD_Website.pdf [Last accessed: February 2025]
- Anthony Nolan. 2021. Analysis of hospital activity and costs following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in England. Available at: https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/analysis-of-hospital-activity-and-costs.pdf [Last accessed: February 2025]
- Dawn Hart et al. 2022. Investigating the Impact of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease on Patient and Carer Health-Related Quality of Life: A Quantitative Study. [Last accessed: February 2025]
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