Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a problem that can develop following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant in which the donor's immune cells assault the recipient's tissues. This syndrome occurs when transplanted cells (the graft) identify the recipient's body (the host) as foreign and initiate an immune reaction against it...
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a problem that can develop following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant in which the donor's immune cells assault the recipient's tissues. This syndrome occurs when transplanted cells (the graft) identify the recipient's body (the host) as foreign and initiate an immune reaction against it. GVHD can be acute or chronic, affecting predominantly the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. Acute GVHD often develops within the first few months of transplantation. It manifests as a cutaneous reaction that causes rashes, redness, and blisters. It can also damage the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Additionally, acute GVHD can affect the liver, causing jaundice, increased liver enzymes, and liver dysfunction. Chronic GVHD typically occurs months after the transplant, and symptoms can last for years. It can impact several organs and systems, resulting in long-term consequences. Chronic GVHD is frequently associated with skin changes such as thickened or tightened skin, joint pain, dry eyes, mouth sores, and lung issues. It can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing chronic diarrhea, malabsorption disorders, and liver diseases such as hepatitis. To avoid GVHD, doctors employ drugs to suppress the immune system and lower the likelihood of donor cells attacking the recipient's body. These immunosuppressive medicines, however, increase the risk of infection by weakening the body's ability to fight microorganisms. GVHD continues to provide a substantial problem in transplantation therapy, influencing the success and consequences of these treatments. Researchers are constantly looking for new medicines and strategies to help manage GVHD more successfully. This includes creating targeted medicines to more precisely manage the immune response, lowering the danger of GVHD while yet allowing transplanted cells to combat cancer or other disorders. Close observation and early intervention are critical in treating GVHD. Patients undergoing stem cell or bone marrow transplants are constantly examined for indications and symptoms of GVHD so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as soon as possible. While GVHD presents considerable problems, breakthroughs in understanding its processes and developing targeted therapeutics provide hope for improving outcomes and mitigating the effect of this complication in transplant recipients.
