<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Approximately 10% of patients with GVHD develop sclerodermatous changes, which can cause significant morbidity and are often refractory to standard systemic immunosuppression. We present two cases of sclerodermatous GVHD. The first is a 39-year-old man, who had a matched sibling, undergoing allogeneic HSCT for severe aplastic anemia. The second patient is a 7-year-old boy, who had an allogeneic HSCT from his HLA-identical mother for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Both patients presented with widespread sclerotic changes, resulting in joint contractures and significant functional difficulties. Studies have shown UVA1 phototherapy to be a promising and well tolerated treatment modality in patients with sclerotic skin diseases. Both of our patients were treated with UVA1, which resulted in a significant skin softening, improvement in joint mobility and quality of life. UVA1 appears to be an effective treatment for refractory sclerodermatous GVHD; however, long-term clinical studies in larger groups are needed to accurately evaluate its efficacy and safety.</p></abstract>

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Approximately 10% of patients with GVHD develop sclerodermatous changes, which can cause significant morbidity and are often refractory to standard systemic immunosuppression. We present two cases of sclerodermatous GVHD. The first is a 39-year-old man, who had a matched sibling, undergoing allogeneic HSCT for severe aplastic anemia. The second patient is a 7-year-old boy, who had an allogeneic HSCT from his HLA-identical mother for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Both patients presented with widespread sclerotic changes, resulting in joint contractures and significant functional difficulties. Studies have shown UVA1 phototherapy to be a promising and well tolerated treatment modality in patients with sclerotic skin diseases. Both of our patients were treated with UVA1, which resulted in a significant skin softening, improvement in joint mobility and quality of life. UVA1 appears to be an effective treatment for refractory sclerodermatous GVHD; however, long-term clinical studies in larger groups are needed to accurately evaluate its efficacy and safety.

Uva1 Phototherapy in the Management of Sclerodermatous Graft-Versus-Host Disease (Gvhd): a report of two cases / Uva1 fototerapija u lečenju sklerodermatoznog oblika hronične Gvhd: Prikaz dva slučaja

Department of Photodermatology, St. John’s Institute of Dermatology,Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Skin Tumour Unit, St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Serbian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Approximately 10% of...

Uva1 Phototherapy in the Management of Sclerodermatous Graft-Versus-Host Disease (Gvhd): a report of two cases / Uva1 fototerapija u lečenju sklerodermatoznog oblika hronične Gvhd: Prikaz dva slučaja

Published Online: Feb 12, 2013

Page range: 147 - 152

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10249-011-0014-z

This content is open access.