Acute graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation determining the prognosis of hematopoietic stem cell recipients because of the impairment of multiple organs and systems and subsequent secondary immunodeficiency caused by combination immunosuppressive therapy. Current strategies are focused on the prevention of this life-threatening complication and on the timely start of treatment with appropriate selection of medications based on the knowledge of acute GVHD pathogenesis and grading as well as of risk factors for its development / progression in different patients. Here we provide a brief overview of acute GVHD and the existing approaches to its prevention and treatment.