Abstract
Background: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a significant complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the pediatric population. The most common clinical manifestation of GVHD is in the skin. This article will present a review of key concepts related to pediatric cutaneous GVHD, including pathophysiology, clinical epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Objective: GVHD is an immune-mediated process characterized by an inflammatory immune response in acute GVHD and mixed inflammatory and fibrotic states in chronic GVHD. The clinical presentations of cutaneous GVHD are heterogeneous. Method: Acute cutaneous GVHD classically presents as an erythematous morbilliform eruption appearing within a few weeks after transplantation. Chronic cutaneous GVHD may manifest as poikiloderma, lichenoid lesions, or sclerodermatous changes. The sclerodermatous form of cutaneous GVHD is associated with substantial long-term morbidity, including joint contractures, myalgias, and mobility restriction.
Results: First-line pharmacologic treatment options typically include corticosteroids and in some cases, calcineurin inhibitors. Biologics and immunotherapies are an active area of investigation for GVHD that is refractory to corticosteroid treatment. Non-pharmacologic treatment options that have shown benefit for cutaneous GVHD include extracorporeal photopheresis and phototherapy.
Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous GVHD is essential to preventing and alleviating the long-term sequelae and morbidity associated with this condition.
Keywords: Graft versus host disease, cutaneous, dermatology, pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant, GVHD, HSCT.
Graphical Abstract
Current Pediatric Reviews
Title:Pediatric Cutaneous Graft Versus Host Disease: A Review
Volume: 13 Issue: 2
Author(s): Connie R. Shi, Jennifer T. Huang and Vinod E. Nambudiri*
Affiliation:
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, MA,United States
Keywords: Graft versus host disease, cutaneous, dermatology, pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant, GVHD, HSCT.
Abstract: Background: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a significant complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the pediatric population. The most common clinical manifestation of GVHD is in the skin. This article will present a review of key concepts related to pediatric cutaneous GVHD, including pathophysiology, clinical epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Objective: GVHD is an immune-mediated process characterized by an inflammatory immune response in acute GVHD and mixed inflammatory and fibrotic states in chronic GVHD. The clinical presentations of cutaneous GVHD are heterogeneous. Method: Acute cutaneous GVHD classically presents as an erythematous morbilliform eruption appearing within a few weeks after transplantation. Chronic cutaneous GVHD may manifest as poikiloderma, lichenoid lesions, or sclerodermatous changes. The sclerodermatous form of cutaneous GVHD is associated with substantial long-term morbidity, including joint contractures, myalgias, and mobility restriction.
Results: First-line pharmacologic treatment options typically include corticosteroids and in some cases, calcineurin inhibitors. Biologics and immunotherapies are an active area of investigation for GVHD that is refractory to corticosteroid treatment. Non-pharmacologic treatment options that have shown benefit for cutaneous GVHD include extracorporeal photopheresis and phototherapy.
Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous GVHD is essential to preventing and alleviating the long-term sequelae and morbidity associated with this condition.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Shi R. Connie , Huang T. Jennifer and Nambudiri E. Vinod *, Pediatric Cutaneous Graft Versus Host Disease: A Review, Current Pediatric Reviews 2017; 13 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573396313666170615091733
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573396313666170615091733 |
Print ISSN 1573-3963 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6336 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Classical to Current Approach for Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Notch Signaling Proteins: Legitimate Targets for Cancer Therapy
Current Protein & Peptide Science Expression, Purification and Auto-Activation of Cathepsin E from Insect Cells
Protein & Peptide Letters Upregulation of Focal Adhesion Kinase by 14-3-3ε via NFκB Activation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Infective Protective Properties of S100 Calgranulins
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Natural Antioxidants: Therapeutic Prospects for Cancer and Neurological Diseases
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nanopotentiation of Propolis for Revocation of Enzyme Imbalance in UVB Induced Cutaneous Toxicity in Murine Model: a Preliminary Study for Chemoprotection of Skin Cancer
Drug Delivery Letters Positron Emission Tomography for Neck Evaluation Following Definitive Treatment with Chemoradiotherapy for Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Current and Future Clinical Strategies in Colon Cancer Prevention and the Emerging Role of Chemoprevention
Current Pharmaceutical Design Reversion of Multidrug Resistance in Tumor By Biocompatible Nanomaterials
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Ginkgolic Acids Confer Potential Anticancer Effects by Targeting Pro- Inflammatory and Oncogenic Signaling Molecules
Current Molecular Pharmacology Small-molecule Antiviral Agents in Ongoing Clinical Trials for COVID-19
Current Drug Targets Selenium Compounds Biotransformed by Mushrooms: Not Only Dietary Sources, But Also Toxicity Mediators
Current Nutrition & Food Science Large Pleural Lipoma: An Incidental Finding During a Metastatic Workup
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Differential Expression of TOM34, AL1A1, PADI2 and KLRBA in NNK Induced Lung Cancer in Wistar Rats and their Implications
Current Cancer Drug Targets Three Decades of P-gp Inhibitors: Skimming Through Several Generations and Scaffolds
Current Medicinal Chemistry Evaluating the Diagnostic and Chemotherapeutic Potential of Vancomycin- Derived Imaging Conjugates
Medicinal Chemistry Patents in Cancer Stem Cells
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Anti-Tumor Vaccines in Head and Neck Cancer: Targeting Immune Responses to the Tumor
Current Cancer Drug Targets Cisplatin Properties in a Nanobiotechnological Approach to Cancer: A Mini-Review
Current Cancer Drug Targets