The first biomarker of graft-versus-host disease of the skin has been identified by researchers from the University of Michigan.

This discovery by the involved researchers make it possible for a simple blood test to solve a treatment issue facing doctors with patients who develop rashes on a frequent basis after bone marrow transplantations. It was noted by the researchers that the biomarker makes it easier and effective to ascertain who is at greatest risk of dying of graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Rashes are very common in patients after bone marrow transplants. They may signal the onset of acute GVHD. But until now, a skin biopsy was the only reliable way for doctors to determine whether the rash is caused by antibiotics commonly used to treat bone marrow transplant patients, or is instead GVHD of the skin, where the disease appears in about half of cases.

Because a firm diagnosis is not easy and the threat of GVHD is grave, many doctors who suspect a rash is due to GVHD prescribe systemic high-dose steroids to suppress GVHD, which further weaken a patient’s already compromised immune system.

The U-M scientists identified a key biomarker or signature protein of GVHD of the skin called elafin. Elafin levels can be measured in a blood test to identify which bone marrow transplant patients with skin rashes actually have GVHD.

James Ferrara, M.D., Ruth Heyn Endowed Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and director of the bone marrow transplant program at U-M, and senior author of this study, remarked that this test is expected to make informed treatment possible.