Phase I-II Study Using Tocilizumab for Treatment of Steroid Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease
Phase: PHASE1
Conditions: Acute Graft Versus Host Disease
Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
Protocol version 6.0 (01/15/2016) 
 
 
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PHASE I-II STUDY ON TOCILIZUMAB FOR TREATMENT OF STEROID 
REFRACTORY ACUTE GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE 
 
 
 
Protocol version 6.0 
Date:    01/15/2016 
 
 
PI: William Drobyski, MD 
 
Protocol Team: 
Brent Logan, PhD 
Parameswaran Hari, MD, MS 
Marcelo C. Pasquini, MD, MS 
J. Douglas Rizzo, MD, MS 
Wael Saber, MD, MS 
Mary Horowitz, MD, MS 
Sayed Mehdi Hamadani, MD 
 

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PROTOCOL SYNOPSIS - Phase I-II Study Using Tocilizumab for Treatment of Steroid 
Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease 
 
Principal Investigator: 
 
William Drobyski, MD 
Study Design: 
This is a phase I-II trial designed to evaluate the toxicity 
and efficacy of Tocilizumab in the treatment of steroid 
refractory acute GVHD.    
 
Primary Objective: 
The primary objective of the study is to determine the 
response rate (complete and partial) at day 56 after 
administration of Tocilizumab for treatment of steroid 
refractory GVHD 
 
Secondary Objective:  
Proportion of patients with  partial, mixed or no GVHD 
responses; GVHD progression, primary treatment failures, 
GVHD flares, discontinuation of immunosuppression, 
incidence of chronic GVHD, overall survival, incidence of 
toxicities and  infections. For patients with malignant 
disease, disease-free survival and non-relapse mortality. 
 
Eligibility:  
Patient who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem 
cell transplantation, with biopsy proven GVHD, active 
acute GVHD requiring systemic immune suppressive 
therapy and that failed or did not respond to first line of 
therapy (corticosteroids ± other agent). Patients are 
excluded if they are intolerant or allergic to Tocilizumab, 
have active uncontrolled infection requiring ongoing 
treatment with antifungals, antibiotics or anti-viral drugs, 
relapsed/persistent malignancy requiring rapid immune 
suppression withdrawal, liver enzymes: ALT and AST > 3x 
upper limit of normal or presence of severe sinusoidal 
obstruction syndrome who in the judgement of the treating 
physician are not expected to have normalized bilirubin by 
day 56 after enrollment.  
  
Treatment Description: 
Tocilizumab will be administered intravenously at a dose of 
8 mg/kg once every three weeks for three doses. After Day 
56 doses may be decreased to 4mg/kg once every three 
weeks depending on GVHD response. 
. 
Accrual Objective: 
 
21 patients will be accrued. 
 
Accrual Period: 
 
The estimated accrual period is 3 years. 
 
Study Duration: 
Patients will be followed for 12 months following initiation 
of therapy. 

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1.0 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE 
 
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the major complication associated with allogeneic stem cell 
transplantation.  A prominent characteristic of GVHD is the presence of a proinflammatory 
milieu that is attributable to conditioning regimen-induced host tissue damage as well as 
secretion of inflammatory cytokines [e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis alpha-α (TNF-α), 
interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6)] by alloactivated donor T cells and other effector cell 
populations.1-3 These cytokines perpetuate GVHD through direct cytotoxic effects on host 
tissues,4-6 activation and/or priming of immune effector cells,7 and differentiation of 
proinflammatory T cell populations (i.e. TH1 and TH17 cells) from naïve T cell precursors.8,9  
This inflammatory environment is also promoted by the absence of an effective regulatory T cell 
(Treg) response as both a relative and an absolute decline of Tregs in the peripheral blood and 
target tissues has been demonstrated in a majority of studies.8,10-12 The strong association 
between a proinflammatory milieu and the absence of an effective counter regulatory response 
suggests that the inflammatory environment prevents and/or inhibits Treg reconstitution during 
GVHD.  How this occurs, however, is not well understood.  
 
IL-6 is a pleiotrophic cytokine that is produced by a variety of cell types, including T cells, B 
cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, monocytes and keratinocytes.13 IL-6 is of particular interest 
with respect to GVHD biology since it occupies a unique position at the crossroads where the 
fate of naïve T cells to become either regulatory cells or proinflammatory T cells is determined.  
In the presence of IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), naïve T cells differentiate 
into TH17 cells, whereas in its absence these same cells are induced to become Tregs.14,15  
Furthermore, IL-6 produced by dendritic cells after activation through Toll-like receptors is able 
to inhibit the suppressive function of natural Tregs.16,17 Thus, IL-6 appears to have a pivotal role 
in directing the immune response towards an inflammatory phenotype and away from a 
regulatory response. The potential importance of IL-6 in GVHD is also supported by clinical 
studies that have shown that patients with elevated plasma levels of IL-6,18,19 as well as those 
with a recipient or donor IL-6 genotype that results in increased IL-6 production,20,21 have an 
increased incidence and severity of GVHD.   
 
Signaling through IL-6 occurs by the binding to a low affinity IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) which 
together induces homodimerization of gp130 and subsequent transduction of the intracellular 
signal.22 This membrane-bound IL-6R, however, is expressed only on hepatocytes and 
hematopoietic cells.  Notably, the IL-6R can also be shed from the membrane generating a 
soluble form of the receptor which can complex with IL-6 and induce an intracellular response in 
cells that lack the membrane-bound IL-6R through a process called trans-signaling.23,24  
Interference with the actions of IL-6 by administration of an IL-6R antibody that prevents 
binding of the cytokine to its receptor has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a variety 
of inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis,25,26 amyloidosis,27 and colitis.28 
 
Tocilizumab (Actemra) is a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody that blocks IL-6 signaling 
and has been FDA-approved for the treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis.  It has been 
shown to have remission-inducing efficacy in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid 
arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and multicentric Castlemans’ disease.  A pilot 
phase I/II study in patient with active Crohn’s disease also suggested benefit when administered 

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on an every two week basis.29 Recent studies in a murine model of GVHD, has shown that 
treatment with an anti-IL-6R antibody is able to significantly reduce GVHD-associated mortality 
and pathological damage.30 One of the mechanisms by which this occurs is through the enhanced 
reconstitution of regulatory T cells that express the transcription factor foxp3.  Reconstitution of 
both natural and induced Tregs has been demonstrated in animals treated with this antibody, 
suggesting that the increase in overall numbers of Tregs is responsible, in part, for the 
attenuation in GVHD severity. A recent case report demonstrated that administration of 
tocilizumab was effective at significantly reducing the severity of GVHD in the GI tract as 
determined by a marked reduction in the volume of diarrhea.31  Notably, this patient had failed 
multiple prior therapies, including high dose steroids, infliximab, budesonide, photopheresis, 
sirolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil.  This report provides further support for the premise that 
this agent may be an effective therapy for steroid resistant GVHD. 
 

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2.0 STUDY DESIGN 
 
2.1 Study Design 
 
This is a phase I-II trial designed to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of tocilizumab in the 
treatment of steroid refractory acute GVHD.    
 
2.2 Primary Objective 
 
The primary objective of the study is to determine the response rate (complete and partial) at day 
56 after administration of Tocilizumab for treatment of steroid refractory GVHD 
 
C. Inclusion Criteria:   
1. Patients age 18 and older who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell 
transplantation. 
2. Patients are required to have biopsy proven GVHD. 
3. Patients must have active acute GVHD requiring systemic immune suppressive therapy 
and that failed or did not respond to first line of therapy. 
• First line therapy needs to be a minimum of corticosteroids, methylprednisolone 
of 1.6mg/kg/day or prednisone of 2mg/kg/day, alone or combined to other agent. 
• Failure of GVHD therapy is defined as flare of signs and symptoms of acute 
GVHD or progression of GVHD grade after at least 72 hours from starting 
therapy. 
• No response to GVHD treatment (corticosteroids ± other agent) after a minimum 
of 7 days of treatment.     
4. Patient must be able to give informed consent. 
 
D. Exclusion Criteria: 
1. Intolerance or allergy to Tocilizumab 
2. Active uncontrolled infection requiring ongoing treatment with antifungals, antibiotics or 
anti-viral drugs.  
3. Relapsed/persistent malignancy requiring rapid immune suppression withdrawal. 
4. Liver enzymes: ALT and AST > 3x upper limit of normal.  
5. Patients with severe sinusoidal obstruction syndrome who in the judgment of the treating 
physician are not expected to have normalized bilirubin by day 56 after enrollment.  
6. Serum bilirubin > 2x upper limit of normal. 

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3.0 TREATMENT SCHEME 
 
3.1 Tocilizumab Dose  
 
Tocilizumab will be administered intravenously at a dose of 8 mg/kg once every three weeks. 
Patients with documented responses will continue to receive treatment at 8 mg/kg once every 3 
weeks for at least two months (day 56). Patients that have some degree of response but without 
complete resolution of signs and symptoms of acute GVHD may continue to receive 8 mg/kg on 
a 3-week cycle until complete response is achieved or lack of further improvement. In patients 
who are beyond day 56 and whose GVHD has resolved, the dose of Tocilizumab will be reduced 
to 4 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Subsequent discontinuation of Tocilizumab will occur once patients 
are off other immune suppressive medications (including extracorporeal photopheresis, ECP)or 
are receiving sub therapeutic levels of immunosuppression (ie. FK levels< 5 ng/mL) or 
prednisone dose <20mg/day (or equivalent) and are free of acute GVHD signs or symptoms for 
at least one month.    
 
Patients who fulfill criteria of progression of GVHD not in the setting of immunosuppressive 
taper, no response of GVHD or require initiation of other immune suppressive treatment for 
GVHD will have Tocilizumab discontinued. 
 
3.2 Corticosteroid Taper 
 
It is anticipated that all patients will be on corticosteroids at the time of initial Tocilizumab 
administration. Patients who are responding to Tocilizumab may have steroids tapered at the 
discretion of the primary physician. Similarly, patients treated with steroids but deemed not to 
have had a response to this agent may also be tapered if the primary physician deems that longer 
term steroid administration may place the patient at unacceptable risk of opportunistic infection. 
However, for those improving, steroid taper should not start sooner than 72 hours after 
administration of tocilizumab and the steroid dose must not be tapered to less than 0.25 
mg/kg/day prednisone (or 0.2 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone) on Day 28.  
 
3.3 Acute GVHD Flare 
 
If acute GVHD flares during taper of prednisone, the dose of corticosteroids may be increased at 
the discretion of the treating physician as long as this increase is to less than 2.5 mg/kg/day of 
prednisone (or methylprednisolone equivalent of 2 mg/kg/day), as in this case it will be 
considered adding a “new agent” and the patient will be scored as a failure. 
 
3.4 Concurrent Immune Suppressive Medications 
 
Patients should remain on concurrent immune suppressive medications at the time that treatment 
with Tocilizumab is initiated.  Patients that are deemed to be responding to Tocilizumab may 
have their other immune suppressive medications tapered or discontinued as clinically indicated 
(also see above section on corticosteroid taper). 
 

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3.5 Discontinuation Criteria 
 
Tocilizumab shall be discontinued and not re-instituted if any one of the following criteria is met.  
The patient will be taken off study drug therapy at that point, but still followed for primary and 
secondary study endpoints.  A response assessment will be made at the time of therapy 
discontinuation and at subsequent defined study endpoints.  The patient will not be replaced on 
study.  Follow-up data will be required unless consent for data collection is withdrawn: 
• Additional systemic GVHD therapy is added for disease progression or non-response 
• Steroid dose is escalated to ≥ 2.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone (or methylprednisolone 
equivalent of 2 mg/kg/day) for GVHD progression or no response 
• Development of toxicity that requires withholding of study medication for more than 14 
days (see Section 2.5 for details of dose modifications for toxicity) 
 
 

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4.0 PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION 
 
4.1 Study Agent: Actemra® (Tocilizumab) 
 
Classification: Immunomodulator 
 
4.2 Clinical Pharmacology: 
 
Tocilizumab is a recombinant humanized interleukin-6 receptor inhibiting monoclonal antibody. 
Tocilizumab binds to both soluble and membrane bound IL-6 receptors and results in the 
blockade of interleukin-6 signaling through these receptors. 
 
4.3 Pharmacokinetics 
 
Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that tocilizumab undergoes biphasic elimination from the 
circulation.  In rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with 4 and 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks, the 
central volume of distribution was 3.5 L and the peripheral volume of distribution was 2.9 L 
with a volume of distribution at steady state of 6.4 L.  Tocilizumab dosed at 8 mg/kg resulted in 
a mean steady state area under the curve (AUC), minimum concentration (Cmin) and a 
maximum concentration (Cmax) of 35 + 15 mg∙hr/ml, 9.74 + 10.5 mcg/ml and 183 + 85.6 
mcg/ml respectively.  Tocilizumab AUC, Cmin and Cmax increased with increasing body 
weight with a 86% higher exposure in patients greater than 100 kg.  As a result, doses 
exceeding 800 mg (max dosing weight 100 kg) per infusion are not recommended. 
 
The total clearance of Tocilizumab is concentration-dependent and is represented by the both the 
linear clearance and the nonlinear clearance.  Upon saturation of the non-linear clearance 
pathway, the main determining factor is linear clearance.  The reported linear clearance in the 
pharmacokinetic studies is estimated to be 12.5 mL/h.  The concentration dependent half-life is 
up to 11 days for the 4 mg/kg dose and up to 13 days for the 8 mg/kg dose every 4 weeks at 
steady state. 
 
4.3.1 Special populations 
 
Pharmacokinetic analysis in adult rheumatoid arthritis patients did not demonstrate a change in 
kinetics based on age, gender or race. The effects of renal and hepatic impairment have not been 
assessed.  
  
4.4 Drug supply and storage 
 
Tocilizumab is commercially available. Single use vials containing Tocilizumab, preservative 
free, sterile concentrate solutions (20 mg/ml) for IV infusion are available in the following sizes:  
80 mg, 200mg, and 400 mg. The solution is colorless to pale yellow, with a pH of approximately 
6.5. 
 

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Vials should be stored under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).  Do not freeze.  Protect 
the vials from light by storage in the original package until time of use.  Inspect vials visually for 
particulates and discoloration prior to use and discard if particulates or discoloration is noted. 
   
4.5 Administration: 
 
Tocilizumab will be administered at the initial dose of 8 mg/kg with a maximum dosing weight 
of 100 kg (max dose 800 mg) and 4mg/kg for maintenance. The infusion will be administered 
over 60 minutes through a dedicated IV line every 3 weeks as clinically indicated.  Do not 
administer by IV bolus.   
 
4.5.1 Preparation 
 
Using aseptic technique, utilize a 100 ml bag of 0.9% sodium chloride injection USP and 
withdraw a volume equal to the volume of the tocilizumab solution required for the dose.  Next, 
withdraw the calculated volume of tocilizumab solution necessary for the dose from the vials and 
slowly inject the tocilizumab to the infusion bag.  The final solution volume should be 100ml.  
Gently invert the IV bag to mix the solution.  Inspect the prepared IV solution for particulates. 
 
4.5.2 Storage of prepared IV solution 
 
The solution may be stored under refrigeration or at room temperature for up to 24 hours and 
should be protected from light. 
 
Patients may remain on existing immunosuppressive regimen at the time tocilizumab is begun 
but no additional agents can be added unless patient is deemed to have failed treatment (see 
evaluation of response). 
 
4.6 Warnings / Precautions 
 
4.6.1 Serious infections 
 
The product information labeling contains a black box warning regarding the risk of serious 
infection. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant 
immunosuppressants such as Methotrexate or corticosteroids.  Serious infections leading to 
hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis, bacterial, invasive fungal, viral and other 
opportunistic infections have occurred in patients receiving tocilizumab. Viral reactivation and 
cases of herpes zoster exacerbation were reported in clinical trials.   It is recommended that 
patients are tested for latent tuberculosis before and during use of tocilizumab.  If a serious 
infection develops, Tocilizumab should be withheld until the infection is controlled. 
 
4.6.2 Gastrointestinal Perforations 
 
Events of GI perforation have been reported in clinical trials, primarily as complications of 
diverticulitis.  Patients presenting with new onset abdominal symptoms should be evaluated 
promptly. 

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4.6.3 Laboratory Parameters 
 
Neutropenia, decreases in platelets, transaminase elevations, and increases in lipid parameters 
(total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides) have been reported in relation to the use of 
tocilizumab. 
 
4.6.4 Hypersensitivity reactions 
 
Anaphylaxis and infusion reactions have been reported in association with tocilizumab infusions.  
Appropriate medical treatment should be available for immediate use in the event of an 
anaphylactic reaction during administration. 
 
4.7 Adverse effects: 
 
Other adverse reactions most frequently reported in clinical trials include upper respiratory tract 
infections, nasopharyngitis, headache, hypertension, ALT increases, dizziness, bronchitis, rash, 
mouth ulceration, upper abdominal pain, and gastritis.  Anti-tocilizumab antibodies have been 
detected in a small number (2% of patients). Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions including a few 
cases of anaphylaxis have also been reported. 
 
4.8 Drug interactions: 
 
Elevated levels of IL-6 and other cytokines have been associated with reduced expression of 
some cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes.  Tocilizumab, through IL-6 inhibition, has the potential 
to affect expression of multiple CYP enzymes by restoring their activity to a higher level than 
that in the absence of tocilizumab.  Monitoring of drugs that are metabolized by CYP’s with 
narrow therapeutic index or where the dose is individually adjusted is advised.  Caution should 
be exercised when tocilizumab is co-administered with CYP3A4 substrate drugs where decrease 
in effectiveness is undesirable, e.g., oral contraceptives, atorvastatin etc.  The effect of 
tocilizumab on CYP450 enzymes may occur within approximately 2 weeks of starting therapy 
and persist for several weeks after stopping therapy.  
 
 
4.9 Supportive Care Guidelines 
 
4.9.1 Infectious Disease Monitoring  
Patients on tocilizumab should have CMV PCR NAAT,  EBV, HHV6, and Adenovirus testing 
by PCR in the blood prior to each dosing of tocilizumab. Viral testing may be performed more 
frequently if clinically indicated. 
 
Anti-infective prophylaxis against herpes viruses, Pneumocystis jiroveci, bacterial and fungal 
infections should be followed according to standard MCW institutional practices. 
 
 
 

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4.9.2 Laboratory monitoring 
Patients on Tocilizumab require weekly evaluations of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, Bilirubin) for 
the first two cycles of treatment. After two cycles, hepatic evaluation should be done at the 
discretion of the treating physician and at least once before each dose of Tocilizumab.  
 
Fasting* lipid profile including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides 
should be done at baseline and before each dose of Tocilizumab for the first three doses. If no 
significant increases in lipid profile, they should be repeated every 6 months thereafter for 
monitoring. *If patient is on TPN a non-fasting lipid profile is acceptable. 
 
Patients on calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus) or rapamycin should have the levels 
checked at least twice week after the first dose of Tocilizumab for at least three weeks. 
 
Patients who are on concurrent potentially myelosuppressive agents (e.g. gancyclovir) may 
need more frequent monitoring of WBC. 
 
4.10 Toxicities and guidelines for dose reduction/withholding study drug 
4.10.1  Hepatic Dysfunction 
This refers to increases observed after the institution of Tocilizumab. 
Liver enzyme abnormality 
(ALT, AST,) 
Recommendation 
> 1 to 3 x baseline 
(A).  For patients in whom the AST and ALT 
are within the normal range at the onset of 
enrollment into the study, the upper limit of 
normal for each enzyme will be used to 
determine whether the patient’s LFTs are 
greater than one to three times the normal 
values.  For persistent increases in this range 
for 2 consecutive weeks after the most recent 
dose of Tocilizumab, in the absence of any 
other offending hepatic toxic agents, reduce 
dose to 4 mg/kg.   
(B).  For patients in whom the baseline LFTs 
were elevated outside of the upper limit of the 
normal range at the time of enrollment, these 
values will serve as the baseline for the 
calculation of whether the LFTs are >1 to 3 
times normal.  For persistent increases in this 
range, defined as AST and ALT both elevated 
>1 to 3X baseline for 2 consecutive weeks 
after the most recent dose of Tocilizumab, in 
the absence of any other offending hepatic 
toxic agents, reduce dose to 4 mg/kg. 
 
> 3 to 5 x baseline 
 
Hold therapy for 1 week. Discontinue any 

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other offending hepatic toxic agent, if 
possible. Recheck labs. If AST and ALT still 
elevated >3 to 5 x baseline, continue to hold 
for 
additional 
week. 
Determination 
of 
baseline LFT values will be made as noted 
above for LFTs > 1 to 3X baseline.  Resume 
drug when hepatic function returns to < 3 x 
baseline then follow recommendations for > 1 
to 3 x baseline by reducing dose to 4 mg/kg. 
If no improvement after a total of 2 weeks of 
holding therapy and no other offending 
hepatotoxic agent can be implicated, then 
discontinue Tocilizumab. If there is a 
contributing hepatotoxic agent that cannot be 
discontinued and which is thought to have 
been responsible for increase in LFTs, then 
Tocilizumab may be continued at reduced 
dose of 4 mg/kg for one additional dose at 
physician’s discretion. If no further increase 
in LFTs > 3 to 5 x baseline, continue 
Tocilizumab at 4 mg/kg. If LFTs increase to > 
5 x baseline, discontinue therapy. 
 
 
 
 
4.10.2 Neutropenia 
 
ANC 
Recommendation 
<1000 
intervening 
period 
between doses 
If ANC <1000, then may give G-CSF to 
increase 
WBC 
at 
physician 
discretion. 
Remove other offending agents that might 
lower ANC if possible.  If ANC >1000 at 
time of next dose and patient does not require 
sustained G-CSF administration to maintain 
ANC>1000, then reduce Tocilizumab to 4 
mg/kg for this and subsequent doses.  If 
patient is still requiring daily G-CSF 
administration then physician may at his /her 
discretion elect to hold for an additional week 
to determine whether ANC>1000 can be 
achieved without requirement of sustained G-
CSF administration. 
 
< 1000at time of next dose,  
If ANC remains <1000 at time of next dose 
hold dose for 1 week, administer G-CSF if not 
previously done, and re-check. If ANC 

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remains <1000, hold 1 additional week, and 
continue G-CSF.  If  ANC not >1000 after 
second week of holding dose,discontinue 
Tocilizumab. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.10.3 Infection 
Patients with severe or refractory infections may have Tocilizumab held at the attending 
physician's discretion.  Antibody can be reinstituted when the infection episode is controlled and 
hemodynamic stability restored.  
 
4.10.4 Other Unexpected Toxicities: 
Study drug may  be held for other CTCAE v.4 Grade 3-4 toxicities that are considered probably 
related to Tocilizumab at the discretion of the treating physician.   
 

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5.0 GUIDELINE FOR SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING  
 
5.1 Definitions 
Adverse Event - Any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject 
administered a pharmaceutical product, medical treatment or procedure and which does not 
necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An adverse event can 
considered therefore be any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory 
finding, for example), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal 
product, medical treatment or procedure whether or not related to the medicinal product. 
  
Life-threatening Adverse Event – Any adverse event that places the patient or subject, in view 
of the investigator, at immediate risk of death from the reaction. Study toxicities are graded using 
the adapted NCI Common Toxicity Criteria (where appropriate use the criteria for transplant 
patients.)  
  
Unexpected Adverse Event – An adverse event that was not described in the study protocol or 
informed consent. 
  
• Serious Adverse Event (SAE) – Any adverse event occurring that results in any of the 
following outcomes: 
• Death – days 0-200, regardless of cause. 
• life-threatening adverse event (see above). 
• persistent or significant disability/incapacity. 
• congenital anomaly. 
• requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage. 
   
Attribution - The designation for the determination of whether an adverse event is related to a 
medical product, treatment or procedure will be as follows: 
• Related – includes adverse events that are definitely, probably, or possibly related to the 
medical treatment or procedure. 
• Not Related – includes adverse events are doubtfully related or clearly not related to the 
medical treatment or procedure. 
  
The MCW Serious Adverse Event (SAE) Report Form should be completed for all adverse 
events that meet the expedited reporting requirements  
  
Serious adverse events that do not meet the requirement for expedited reporting (not related to 
study treatment or expected) will be reported to the IRB as part of the annual renewal of the 
protocol.    
 
5.2 Monitoring the Progress of Trial and the Safety of Participants 
  
This Phase I/II clinical trial will be monitored by the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer 
Center Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) and the principal investigator (PI), William 
R Drobyski MD.  The PI will review the outcome of the data for each individual patient on an 
ongoing basis. The PI of the study will have primary responsibility for ensuring that the protocol 
is conducted as approved by the Institutional Review Board. The PI will ensure that the 

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monitoring plan is followed and that all data required for oversight of monitoring are accurately 
reported, that all adverse events are reported according to the protocol guidelines, and that any 
adverse reactions reflecting patient safety concerns are appropriately reported. Study toxicities 
are graded using the adapted NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) v 
4.0 (where appropriate, use the criteria for transplant patients.)  
5.3 Reporting of Adverse Events 
  
The adverse event reporting in this clinical trial will follow an adapted version of the MCW 
Guidelines for SAE reporting. These guidelines detail the expedited reporting requirements, 
definitions of particular events. All severe adverse events (SAEs), which are defined as an event 
that occurred during or following the administration of Tocilizumab to a subject during the 
course of the study that resulted in death, considered life threatening, required inpatient 
hospitalization or prolonged existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent disability, congenital 
anomaly or events judged as medically important,  meeting the MCW expedited reporting 
criteria will be reported to the MCW Institutional Review Board (IRB) within 3 days by the PI or 
research coordinator upon learning of the event.  For patients being cared for at Froedtert 
Hospital, health care providers communicate with the PI or research coordinator as events occur 
triggering subsequent reporting. For patients not being cared for at Froedtert Hospital, the 
outside facilities communicate with the PI, or research coordinator for these reporting purposes. 
Toxicities contributing to and meeting the study stopping rule criteria will be reported to the IRB 
within 3 days of study staff awareness. All other SAEs and deaths, not meeting the expedited 
reporting criteria, will be submitted to the IRB as part of the annual continuation review report to 
the IRB.    
 
5.4 Expedited Reporting Requirements 
 
All unexpected and serious adverse events meeting MCW expedited reporting criteria 
which may be due to study procedures or intervention must be reported to the MCW IRB 
as soon as possible but within at least 3 calendar days of the investigator learning of the 
event. 
 
Any deaths that occur within 60 days of treatment will be immediately reported to the 
DSMC and MCW IRB. 
 
 All Grade 4 (life-threatening) toxicities occurring between days 0-200 after the administration of 
the first dose of Tocilizumab that meet MCW expedited reporting requirements must be reported 
as soon as possible but within at least 3 calendar days of the investigator learning of the event. 
 

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6.0 GVHD GRADING, STUDY DEFINITIONS AND ENDPOINTS 
 
6.1 Staging and Grading of Acute GVHD 
 
Staging* 
 
Stage 0 
Stage 1 
Stage 2 
Stage 3 
Stage 4 
Skin 
No rash 
Rash 
< 
25% 
BSA 
25-50% 
> 
50% 
Generalized 
erythroderma 
Plus bullae and 
desquamation 
Gut 
< 500 mL 
diarrhea/day 
501-1000 
mL/day 
1001–1500 
mL/day 
> 
1500 
mL/day 
Severe 
abdominal pain 
& ileus 
UGI 
 
Severe 
nausea/vomiting 
 
 
 
Liver 
Bilirubin 
≤  2 mg/dl 
2.1-3 mg/dl 
3.1-6mg/dl 
6.1-15mg/dl 
> 15 mg/dl 
 
 
Grading Index of Acute GVHD*  
 
Grade A 
Grade B 
Grade C 
Grade D 
Skin 
1 
2 
3 
4 
Gut 
0 
1-2 
3 
4 
Upper GI 
0 
1 
 
 
Liver 
0 
1-2 
3 
4 
 
6.2 Response Definitions 
 
Complete response is defined as a CIBMTR score of 0 for the GVHD grading in all evaluable 
organs.  For a response to be scored as a CR at day 56 or later the participant must still be in CR 
on that day and have had no interfering additional therapy for an earlier progression, PR or NR. 
 
Partial response is defined as improvement in one or more organs involved with GVHD 
symptoms without progression in others.  For a response to be scored as PR at day 56 or later, 
the participant must still be in PR on that day and have had no interfering additional therapy for 
an earlier progression, PR or NR 
 
Mixed response is defined as improvement in one or more organs with deterioration in another 
organ manifesting symptoms of GVHD or development of symptoms of GVHD in a new organ.   
 
Progression is defined as deterioration in at least one organ without any improvement in others, 
or development of signs and symptoms of chronic GVHD.. 
 
No response is defined as follows.  Patients receiving additional immune suppressive therapy 
will be classified as nonresponders. If acute GVHD progresses (new organ involvement or 
increased organ specific symptoms sufficient to increase the organ stage by one or more) after at 

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
Protocol version 6.0 (01/15/2016) 
 
 
17 
 
least 7 days of study drug administration, or if there is no response (no reduction in any GVHD 
organ staging) after 7 days of study drug administration, administration of the study drug may be 
discontinued, and the patient may be treated with alternative secondary GVHD therapy at the 
discretion of the treating physician. 
 
6.3 Primary Endpoint 
 
The primary endpoint is proportion of CR/PR at Day 56 of therapy.  CR is defined as resolution 
of all signs and symptoms of GVHD in all evaluable organs in comparison to Day 1 scoring.  
For a response to be scored as CR at Day 56, the participant must still be in CR on that day and 
have had no intervening salvage therapy for an earlier progression, PR or NR. 
 
6.4 Secondary Endpoints 
 
6.4.1 Proportion of Partial Response (PR), Mixed Response (MR), No Response (NR) and 
Progression:  
 
Proportion of Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), Mixed Response (MR), No 
Response (NR) and Progression among surviving patients at Day 56:  Scoring of CR, PR, MR, 
NR and progression are in comparison to the participant’s acute GVHD status (score) on Day 0 
of the study. 
 
6.4.2 Proportion of Primary Treatment Failures 
 
No response, progression, administration of additional therapy for GVHD, development of sign 
and symptoms of chronic GVHD or mortality by Day 14 post-initiation of treatment will be 
considered a primary treatment failure. 
 
6.4.3 GVHD Flares  
 
Flares are defined as any progression of acute GVHD after an initial response (i.e., earlier CR or 
PR) that requires re-escalation of steroid dosing, or initiation of additional topical or systemic 
therapy.  While all “flares” will be captured, only flares that require additional systemic therapy 
(that is additional drugs) or re-escalation of steroids to ≥ 2.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone [or 
methylprednisolone equivalent of 2 mg/kg/day] will be counted as failure for the primary 
endpoint.  The rate of all flares before Day 90 will be examined as a secondary endpoint. 
 
6.4.4 Immunosuppression Discontinuation 
 
Discontinuation of immunosuppression will be assessed by Day 56, Day 180 and Day 360 after 
enrollment.  The date of discontinuation of corticosteroids will be recorded.  In addition, dates 
for discontinuation of all other systemic immunosuppressive medications (where applicable), 
including cyclosporine or tacrolimus, sirolimus, etc. for treatment or prevention of acute GVHD 
will be captured. 
 

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18 
 
6.4.5 Chronic GVHD 
 
The incidence of chronic GVHD at 6 months after enrollment will be examined. 
 
6.4.6 Overall Survival 
 
Overall survival at Day 180 will be computed. 
 
6.4.7 Incidence of Toxicities 
Incidence of serious adverse events and grade 3-5 CTACAE v4 at day 56 after initiation of 
Tocilizumab will be summarized.   
  
6.4.8 Incidence of Infections 
The incidence of definite and probable  viral, fungal and bacterial infections will be tabulated 
after initiation of tociluzumab.  
 
6.4.9 Disease-free Survival at 6 and 12 Months Post-randomization 
 
Disease-free survival at 6 months will be computed.  The events for disease-free survival are 
death and relapse of the underlying malignancy. 
 
6.4.10 Non-relapse Mortality at 6 and 12 Months Post-randomization 
 
Non-relapse mortality at 6 months will be computed.  The events for non-relapse mortality are 
death due to any cause other than relapse of the underlying malignancy. 
 

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
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19 
 
7.0 PATIENT REGISTRATION AND EVALUATIONS 
 
7.1 Patient Registration 
Patients who meet eligibility criteria and signed informed consent will be registered in the study.  
 
7.2 Patient Treatment Schedule 
After registration patients may receive Tocilizumab once every three weeks until criteria in 3.1 is 
met. The schedule below outlines the target days for infusion.  
 
Table 7.2: Schedule Evaluations 
Tocilizumab Dose 
Target Day 
1 
1 
2 
22± 3 
3 
43 ± 3 
4 
64± 7 
5 
85± 7 
6 
106± 7 
7 
127± 7 
8 
148± 7 
9 
169± 7 
10 
190± 7 
11 
221± 7 
12 
242± 7 
13 
262± 7 
14 
283± 7 
15 
304± 7 
16 
325± 7 
17 
346± 7 
18 
365± 7 
*Beyond the third dose the table outlines the proposed scheduled of infusions. Patients who start 
maintenance dose should continue with the same schedule until drug discontinuation criteria are 
met. Patients may continue on tocilizumab beyond one year and the schedule to continue should 
be every three weeks.  
 
7.3 Patient Evaluations 
7.3.1 Pre-Tocilizumab evaluations 
Evaluations prior to study entry should occur within 14 days from initiation of Tocilizumab. 
These evaluations are: 
- 
History and physical examination  
- 
Karnofsky performance score or ECOG evaluation  
- 
CBC with differential, platelet count, creatinine, total bilirubin, LDH, alkaline 
phosphatase, AST, ALT, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and CO2.  
- 
Baseline NAAT for CMV, EBV, HHV-6  and Adenovirus 
- 
Blood and urine culture for bacteria and fungus if clinically indicated 
- 
Assessment of acute GVHD (Appendix A) 

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20 
 
7.3.2 Evaluations after initiation of Tocilizumab 
 
 
The following required observations are summarized in Table 7.3.2:  
- 
History and physical exam to assess GVHD and other morbidity. GVHD assessments 
should be completed on days of tocilizumab drug administration. 
- 
CBC with differential, platelet count, creatinine, LDH, liver functions (Bilirubin, LDH, 
alkaline phosphatase, AST, and ALT), sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and 
CO2.  
- 
PCR NAAT for CMV, EBV, HHV-6 and Adenovirus, prior to each Tocilizumab dose. 
- 
Surveillance blood culture for bacteria and fungus, if clinically indicated 
 

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
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21 
 
Table 7.3.2: Schedule Evaluations 
 
 
 
 
Day (±3 days) 
Day (±7 days) 
 
Study 
entry 
1 
8 
15 
22 
29 
36 
43 
50 
57 
64 
 85 
 106 
127 
148 
169 
190 
221 
242* 
Every 
3 
weeks 
until 
day 
365 
Tocilizumab1 
 
X 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
H&P2 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
GVHD3 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
H/O Panel 4 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Fasting* lipid 
profile5 
X5 
X5 
 
 
X5 
 
 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X5 
 
 
 
X5 
Calcineurin 
inhibitor levels5 
 
 
X 
(2x/
wk) 
X 
(2x/ 
wk) 
X 
(2x/ 
wk) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CMV6  
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
EBV, HHV-6, 
ADENO7,8 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Urine culture 
for bacteria 
and fungus9 
X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blood 
Cultures10 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
*Continue every three week schedule until week 52 from start of treatment. 
1Tocilizumab infusions will start at day 1 of the study and continue every three weeks at a dose of 8mg/kg. After day 56 (week 
8) depending on GVHD responses, patients will have their dose reduced to 4mg/kg every three weeks. If patients fulfill 
criteria to stop tocilizumab subsequent evaluations are not required. 
2History and physical to assess for other comorbidities. 
3Acute GVHD assessments according to Appendix A. Also if patients develop signs or symptoms of chronic GVHD while on 
trial.  
4 Hematology/Oncology panel that includes: CBC with differential, sodium, potassium, CO2, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, 
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), AST, ALT, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glucose. 

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22 
 
5 Fasting lipid profile including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides should be done at baseline 
and before each dose of Tocilizumab for the first three doses. If no significant increases in lipid profile, they should be 
repeated every 6 months thereafter for monitoring. Lipid panel need not be repeated if baseline lipid panel has been done 
within 7 days of starting first dose of Tocilizumab. *If patient is on TPN a non-fasting lipid profile is acceptable. 
5 Patients on calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus) or rapamycin should have the levels checked at least twice a  
week after the first dose of Tocilizumab for at least three weeks. 
6, 7 PCR NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) for cytomegalovirus, Epstein virus, HHV-6 and adenovirus. 
8 Can be performed more frequently if clinically indicated. 
9 If clinically indicated 
10 Surveillance blood cultures for bacteria and fungus, if clinically indicated

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
Protocol version 6.0 (01/15/2016) 
 
 
23 
 
8.0 STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
This study is a single arm phase I/II study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab 
for treatment of steroid resistant acute GVHD.  Historical data indicates that approximately 25% of 
steroid resistant patients respond to second or third line therapy.  The study is designed as a two-
stage trial according to the Simon optimal design with 80% power to detect an increase in the 
response rate at day 56 from 25% to 50%, using a 10% one-sided type I error rate.  This design will 
require a total sample size of 21 patients, with 8 patients enrolled in the first stage.  If 2 or fewer of 
the first 8 patients respond, the study will be stopped for futility.  Otherwise, if 8 or more of the 21 
total patients respond, the treatment will be considered sufficiently promising.  This study design 
has a 68% chance of stopping after the first 8 patients, if the response rate is 25%, and an 80% 
chance of considering the treatment promising if the response rate is 50%. 
Stopping Rules 
 
Deaths in the first 28 days will be monitored.  A mortality probability of >20% in the first 
month is unexpected and the protocol team would want to review the protocol should this 
rate be exceeded.  Entry of patients into the trial will stop while the protocol and deaths are 
reviewed if there is significant evidence that the day 28 overall mortality rate is more than 
20% based on the exact binomial test.  The stopping rule is summarized in the following 
table. 
 
 
Number of patients in the trial 
 
 
Stop if death occurs in: 
 
3-4 
3 
5-7 
4 
8-11 
5 
12-14 
6 
18-21 
7 
 
The actual operating characteristics of this stopping rule, shown in the table below, were 
determined in a simulation study that assumed uniform accrual of 21 individuals over a three-
year time period.   
TABLE 1:  OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF STOPPING RULE FOR OVERALL 
MORTALITY WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM A SIMULATION STUDY WITH 10,000 
REPLICATIONS   
 
True 28 day Rate 
20% 
35% 
40% 
45% 
Probability Reject Null 
0.103 
0.564 
0.726 
0.852 
Mean Month Stopped 
34.0 
25.8 
22.3 
18.9 
Mean # Endpoints in 28 Days 
4.15 
5.40 
5.32 
5.02 
Mean # Patients Enrolled 
19.8 
15.0 
13.0 
11.0 
 

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24 
 
 
The testing procedure for overall mortality within 28 days rejects the null hypothesis in favor of 
the alternative 10% of the time when the true 28 day mortality is 20%, and 85% of the time when 
the rate is 45%.  This corresponds to a type I error rate of α = 0.10 and a type II error rate of β = 
0.15.  When the true 28 day mortality rate is 45%, on average, the stopping rule will be triggered 
19 months after opening, when 5 events have been observed in 11 patients. 
 
1.1. Analysis of Secondary Endpoints 
 
1.1.1. Proportion of CR, PR, MR, NR and Progression  
 
Proportions of Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), Mixed Response (MR), No 
Response (NR) and Progression at Days 28 and 56 will be compared between the treatment 
groups using the chi-square test.   
 
1.1.2. Proportion of Primary Treatment Failures among Surviving Patients 
 
Proportion of primary treatment failures among surviving patients at Days 28 and 56 will be 
compared using the Z test for comparing binomial proportions. 
 
1.1.3. GVHD Flares Requiring Additional Therapy 
 
The proportion of patients experiencing a flare after an initial response will be evaluated at Day 
90 and compared between treatment groups using the Z test for comparing binomial proportions.  
This will be done both for all flares as well as flares that require additional systemic therapy.   
 
1.1.4. Immunosuppression Discontinuation 
 
The incidence of discontinuation of immunosuppression will be computed separately in each 
treatment group using the cumulative incidence curve, with death prior to discontinuation as the 
competing risk.  Pointwise 95% confidence intervals will be provided at Day 56, Day 180, and 
Day 360.  Comparison of the cumulative incidence curves between treatment will be done using 
Gray’s test.   
 
1.1.5. Cumulative Steroid Dose at Day 56 after treatment 
 
The median and range of cumulative steroid doses at each time point will be provided separately 
for each treatment group.  The median cumulative steroid dose will be compared between 
treatment groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.   
 
1.1.6. Chronic GVHD 
 
The incidence of chronic GVHD will be computed using the cumulative incidence estimator, 
treating death prior to chronic GVHD as a competing risk.  Pointwise confidence intervals will 
be provided at 6 and 12 months, and the cumulative incidence curves will be compared using 
Gray’s test.   

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25 
 
 
1.1.7. Overall and GVHD-free Survival 
 
Overall survival will be computed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator.  Pointwise confidence 
intervals will be provided at Days 180 and 360.  Survival curves will be compared between 
treatment groups using the log-rank test.  GVHD-free survival will be estimated using simple 
proportions of patients alive and without GVHD if there is no censoring prior to 180 or 360 days.  
If there is censoring, the proportion of patients alive and without GVHD will be estimated in 
each treatment using multi-state model techniques.i   
 
1.1.8. Disease-free Survival at 6 Months Post-treatment 
 
Disease-free survival will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, treating death or relapse 
of malignancy as events in patients with malignancies.  This outcome will be compared between 
the two treatment groups using the log-rank test. 
 
1.1.9. Non-relapse Mortality at 6 Months Post- treatment 
 
Non-relapse mortality will be estimated using the cumulative incidence method, treating relapse 
as the competing risk.  The cumulative incidence curves for non-relapse mortality will be 
compared between the treatments using Gray’s test. 
 

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
Protocol version 6.0 (01/15/2016) 
 
 
26 
 
APPENDIX A 
Acute GVHD assessment  
 
Today’s Date  ___________ 
    Patient ID/Name  ____________________________________     Karnofsky/Lansky ____________________ 
   
    
 
 
Codes 
 
 
 
 
            Differential Diagnosis 
 
Systemic 
Agents:  
   CSA 
      Tacrolimus 
      Infliximab 
      Dacluzimab 
 
 
   Pentostatin 
  Prednisone 
      Sirolimus 
   Methylprednisolone 
 
      Etanercept 
      Study Drug 
 
      MMF 
      Ontak 
 
      Other _______ 
  Topical Agents:   Skin topical steroids   YES     NO;   Non-absorbed oral steroids (e.g., Budesonide, Entocort)    YES     NO 
Is the patient eating equivalent of one meal/day?     YES     NO     Is the patient having formed stools?     YES     NO 
Does the patient have evidence of chronic GVHD?    YES     NO 
Did patient receive study drug at this visit?   YES     NO               What dose of the study drug did the patient receive?: __________mg/kg    
 
 
Current steroid dose:   Prednisone ________ mg/day or ________ mg/kg/day;     Methylprednisolone ________ mg/day or ________mg/kg/day 
Has the steroid dose been increased to ≥ 2.5mg/kg/day of prednisone (or 2 mg/kg/day methylpred)?  YES     NO;  if yes, date dose increased _____ 
If yes, reason for dose increase:  flare for GVHD;   Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome (IPS);   other (please specify) ________________________ 
 
Code Definitions: 
Skin: 
0  No rash 
1  Maculopapular rash, < 25% of body surface 
2  Maculopapular rash, 25-50% of body surface 
3  Generalized erythroderma 
4  Generalized erythroderma with bullous 
formation and desquamation 
Lower GI (Diarrhea): 
0  No diarrhea 
1  ≤ 500 mL/day or < 10 mL/kg/day 
2  501-1000 mL/day or 10-19.9 mL/kg/day 
3  1001-1500 mL/day or 20-30 mL/kg/day 
4  > 1500 mL/day or > 30 mL/kg/day 
5  Severe abdominal pain with or without ileus, or 
stool with frank blood or melena 
Upper GI: 
0 No protracted nausea 
and vomiting 
1 Persistent nausea, 
vomiting or anorexia 
Liver (Bilirubin): 
0  < 2.0 mg/dL 
1  2.1-3.0 mg/dL 
2  3.1-6.0 mg/dL 
3  6.1-1.0 mg/dL 
4  > 15.0 mg/dL 
 
Signature ________________________________________    Date ____________                                                                                                   
 
 
 
   0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
 
GVHD 
Drug 
 Rxn 
 Cond 
  Reg 
TPN 
Infect 
VOD 
Other 
Skin 

 
% body rash:________ 
   
 
  
  
 
  
      
 
   
 
  
 
 
Lower GI 
Vol: ______________ 
   
 
  
  
 
  
        
 
  
   
 
  
 
 
Upper GI 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
  
        
 
  
   
 
  
 
 
Liver 

 
Current bili: _________ 
   
 
  
  
 
  
        
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
  
 

Tocilizumab in Acute GVHD 
Protocol version 6.0 (01/15/2016) 
 
 
27 
 
  
APPENDIX B  
 
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