Efficacy of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Acute GVHD Treatment

The study will include 20 patients with recent-onset allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and GVHD who attend the Hematology Service at the University Hospital and meet the inclusion criteria, to receive conventional treatment with steroids (prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days) or combined treatment (hCG 2500 IU, IM + prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days).

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (Drug): 2500 IU intramuscular on days 1, 3, and 5 of the protocol. Patients who have at least a partial response by day 7 will receive 3 weekly doses for an additional 4 weeks.
• Prednisone (Drug): Oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days
• Dexamethasone (Drug): IV dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg/day for 14 days

Primary outcomes

• Measurement of GVHD response [1 year]: The primary outcome measure for this study is the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) when combined with steroids in the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). This could be assessed using clinical criteria such as improvement in skin, liver, gastrointestinal symptoms, and overall patient condition, evaluated at specified time points (e.g., day 7, day 14, and at the end of the treatment regimen).

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 years or older.
* Any gender.
* Post-allogeneic transplantation status (haploidentical or identical) of hematopoietic cells.
* Presenting recently onset aGVHD, grades 2 to 4, and requiring systemic steroid use as determined by the treating physician.
* Have not received steroids (Prednisone ≥1 mg/kg/day or equivalent dose of another steroid) for more than 3 days in the last week.
* Willing to participate in the study by signing informed consent.
* If the subject is female and has the potential to procreate (a woman is considered fertile from menarche to postmenopausal stage or after undergoing a permanent contraceptive method), she agrees to use one of the following contraceptive methods from the start of the study and for 30 days after the protocol: oral hormonal contraception, intrauterine device, barrier methods (diaphragm, male or female condom, and foam, sponge, or spermicide film), or agrees to remain abstinent. Women who have been postmenopausal for more than a year, undergone hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy are not considered to have reproductive potential.
* If the subject is male, he agrees to use one of the following contraceptive methods from the start of the study and for 30 days after the protocol: male condom, or remain abstinent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Arterial or venous thrombosis in the past 3 months.
* History of thromboembolic disease requiring full-dose anticoagulation.
* Diagnosis of active malignant disease.
* Uncontrolled infection.
* Chronic use of supplemental therapy with sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone).
* Women with a positive pregnancy test at the time of the initial evaluation.
* Women or men of reproductive age who are unwilling to take appropriate precautions to avoid an unwanted pregnancy from the start of the protocol until 30 days after the protocol.