The graft vs neoplasm effect, also known as graft vs tumor effect (GVT), is an immunological phenomenon observed in the field of transplantation medicine. It refers to the ability of cells or tissues from a transplanted graft to recognize and attack cancerous cells or tumors in the recipient's body.
In a normal immune response, the immune system recognizes foreign cells as a threat, leading to an immune reaction against them. In the case of a graft, which refers to the transplanted tissue or organ, the immune cells present in the graft can mount an immune response against not only foreign cells but also cancer cells in the recipient's body. This effect is thought to occur due to the recognition of unique antigens present on the cancer cells by the immune cells within the graft.
The graft vs neoplasm effect has been observed in various types of transplantations, including bone marrow, stem cell, and solid organ transplants. It has been of particular interest in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where it has been shown to play a significant role in combating certain types of malignancies, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
The mechanism of the graft vs neoplasm effect involves the activation and proliferation of immune cells, such as T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, within the graft. These cells can then recognize and eliminate cancer cells through various immune-mediated mechanisms, including cytotoxicity and cytokine release.
Understanding and enhancing the graft vs neoplasm effect is of clinical importance, as it can contribute to the eradication of residual cancer cells and provide long-term tumor control in transplant recipients.
