Chronic graft versus host disease of oral mucosa: Review of available therapies

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics Vol. 101; no. 2; pp. 175 - 183
• Main Authors: Imanguli, Matin M., Pavletic, Steven Z., Guadagnini, Jean-Pierre, Brahim, Jaime S., Atkinson, Jane C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: St. Louis, MO Mosby, Inc 01-02-2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Dentistry; Graft vs Host Disease - drug therapy; Graft vs Host Disease - etiology; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - adverse effects; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Mouth Diseases - drug therapy; Mouth Diseases - etiology; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Photopheresis; Human; Oral cavity; Treatment; Stomatology; Chronic disease; Mucosa; Graft versus host reaction; Review; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 1079-2104; 1528-395X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.08.028

The use of hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has greatly expanded in the recent years for many neoplastic and hematological disorders. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic HSCT and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Oral mucosal involvement is frequent in cGVHD and contributes significantly to the overall burden of the condition. Oral medicine professionals should be familiar with various treatment options for oral cGVHD. This review discusses treatment modalities available for the management of oral mucosal manifestations of cGVHD. Available evidence for efficacy and safety of various systemic and topical agents, including corticosteroids, calcineurin antagonists, mycophenolate mofetil, and extracorporeal photopheresis, is reviewed.