Pathogenesis and Treatment of Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Bone Marrow Transplant

Stem cell transplantation is being used to treat a number of hematologic malignancies as well as hematologic and immune deficiency states. The ages of patients being offered this therapy and the donor marrow sources have been expanded. One persistent problem has been graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This article reviews the basic biology of GVHD, clinical manifestations of acute and chronic GVHD, prophylaxis and treatment of acute GVHD, and treatment of chronic GVHD.