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Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

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Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Part of the book series: Contemporary Hematology ((CH))

Abstract

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a complex, immune phenomenon that occurs after allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) and resembles a plethora of autoimmune diseases [1]. It can have minimal features like a dry eye or can be disabling with sclerodermatous fascitis and bronchiolitis obliterans. The incidence and time course is variable. Despite improvement in other areas of SCT, little significant progress has been made in the treatment of cGVHD [2]. One of the major reasons may be that cGVHD is a heterogeneous disease, with various subtypes having differing natural history. The development of cGVHD has been associated with the protective effect of graft-versus-tumor effect. It is likely that various subtypes of chronic GVHD have varying graft-versus-tumor effect, with non-relapse mortality from chronic GVHD as a constant competing risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Madan Jagasia

  2. Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Autoimmunity Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Steven Pavletic

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  1. Madan Jagasia
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  2. Steven Pavletic
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Hillard M. Lazarus

  2. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Mary J. Laughlin

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Jagasia, M., Pavletic, S. (2010). Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. In: Lazarus, H.M., Laughlin, M.J. (eds) Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Contemporary Hematology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-478-0_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-478-0_33

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