Assessment of MicroRNA Expression in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

• Compare miR-155 expression at the time of clinical suspicion of aGVHD in allogeneic recipients with aGVHD diagnosis with matched allogeneic recipients without aGVHD. [ Time Frame: up to 14 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Correlate miR-155 expression at the time of clinical suspicion of aGVHD in allogeneic recipients with the severity of aGVHD. [ Time Frame: up to 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Perform serum global microRNA analysis in allogeneic recipients at the time of clinical suspicion of aGVHD to identify other miRNAs that are associated with aGVHD diagnosis and severity. [ Time Frame: up to 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Collect and store serum/plasma and mononuclear cells from patients receiving allogeneic blood and marrow stem cell transplantation. [ Time Frame: up to 14 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Perform the following: a) validation of the miRNA expression profiling signatures; b) correlation of miRNA expression among serum, plasma and mononuclear cells; and c) correlation of relevant miRNA targets or regulators expression (at the RNA or protein level) with miR-155 and other miRNAs expression identified in the aGVHD miRNA signatures.

Assessment of MicroRNA Expression in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD).

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the expression levels of a novel class of molecules, called microRNAs, are associated with acute graft-versus-host disease frequency and severity. Acute graft-versus-host disease is a Acute GVHD is a medical condition that can become very serious. It happens when the donor cells attack and damage your tissues after transplant.

Patients who are receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation at the Ohio State University are eligible and will be consented for the study.

• Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease
• Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation at the Ohio State University Blood and Marrow Transplantation program are eligible and will be consented for the study.