Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): General review

Abstract

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the major complications and source of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) procedure. GVHD divided into two types, acute GVHD, and chronic GVHD. Traditionally as is known, acute GVHD accruing 3 months (100 days) after HCT, and the chronic GVHD accruing after 3 months (over 100 days) after HCT. Generally, the most common symptoms of GVHD development: skin can be presented with rare rush, biopsies can show dyskeratotic keratinocytes. Liver presented with damage to the bile ducts and elevation of bilirubin levels. Lung's damage, bronchiolitis. Endoscopy of the anterointernal can show damage to the cecum, ileum, and colon. In addition, damage to the upper intestinal system. Traditionally GVHD prophylaxis protocol consisted immunosuppression agents as calcineurin inhibitors such as Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine. In case of GVHD development, the standard first-line therapy of GVHD is corticosteroids (systemic and topical) including immunosuppression agent.