Improving Outcomes in Chronic Graft-vs-Host Disease

Chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD) is a frequent, heterogeneous, and often life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A total of 25% to 50% of all transplant survivors develop cGVHD, and cutaneous manifestations are seen in approximately 75% of these patients. Cutaneous manifestations of cGVHD include skin fibrosis (sclerotic cGVHD), epidermal involvement resembling lichen planus, or a combination of both findings. Alopecia, genital inflammation/scarring, nail dystrophy, pigmentary changes, ulceration, and poor wound healing are additional features. Associated skin changes range from mild and self-limited to severe, highly distressing, disfiguring, and permanently disabling disease. Treatment of cGVHD is challenging due to the multiorgan nature of the disease, which may include eyes, lungs, liver, muscles/fascia, and gastrointestinal involvement, as well as difficulties assessing disease activity and treatment response.
Source: JAMA Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research