To support and interpret our findings, the function of the Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blocker etanercept, which has been also used to treat chronic and acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), was studied on cytokine secretion and gene expression profiles were investigated in vitro in monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated with Aspergillus fumigatus. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is acute graft versus host disease.