Sanofi

Sanofi’s commitment to supporting patients in transplant and beyond

The importance of raising awareness of graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD), a complication which can occur following stem-cell or bone marrow transplant.

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant is a treatment for some people with types of blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.1 But transplant is a complex topic, and for patients who receive organ and stem cell donations, the journey is not always over.

In England, every year, over a thousand adults and children undergo a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, but around a third of these people may develop Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD).2

At Sanofi, we’re committed to working with the transplant community, researchers and the UK Government to improve the quality of life for all people who receive transplants.  For more than 40 years, we’ve been working to support patients who receive new hope through solid organ and stem cell transplants.

What is graft-versus-host-disease?

Many people think that a person’s experience is complete following a successful transplant. However, around a third of people who have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant will develop GvHD,2 a complication of transplant which is not fully understood, and can often have a profound impact on quality of life.3

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.3 As there are still some small differences between your new developing immune system and the other cells in your body, your growing immune system does not recognise your own cells and therefore attacks them.3 This can cause a range of severe disabilities and impact a number of organs.3

GvHD impacts people very differently and symptoms vary.3 It is also a condition which is not fully understood, which makes it difficult to predict who will get it and who may not.3

Graft-versus-host-disease in the United Kingdom (UK)

Approximately, a third of people who undergo a stem cell or bone marrow transplant will develop GvHD every year in the UK.2

In 2022, Anthony Nolan surveyed 27 participants to understand the physical, psychological, and social/economic impact of cGvHD (chronic GvHD).4 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

Importance of raising awareness

Despite its impact, due to the varied nature of GvHD – it is often difficult for healthcare professionals and patients to identify symptoms, resulting in a diagnosis not happening as quickly as it could.3

We’re committed to standing with the community and calling for improved outcomes for people during their transplant journey, through research, education and advocacy. 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.

References

  1. Cancer Research UK. Who can donate stem cells or bone marrow? Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/bone-marrow-stem-cell-transplants/who-can-donate-bone-marrow-or-stem-cells [Last accessed: June 2025].
  2. 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: June 2025]
  3. Anthony Nolan. 2021. An essential guide to graft versus host disease (GvHD). Available at: https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/2630PA%20Essential%20Guide%20to%20GvHD_Website.pdf [Last accessed: June 2025]
  4. 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. Available at: https://pro.campus.sanofi/dam/Portal/UK/Products/Rezurock/pi-update2025/rezurock-quantitative.pdf [Last accessed: June 2025]

MAT-XU-2404743 (v1.0) | June 2025