Graft-Versus-Host Transplant Immunology

First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

• 50% of allogeneic BMT patients develop acute or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) of variable severity.
• GVHD = donor’s bone marrow attacks the patient’s organs and tissues, leading to organ dysfunction and a worsened immunocompromised state
• Acute GVHD usually develops < 100 days after allogeneic BMT.
• Chronic GVHD usually develops >100 days after allogeneic BMT.
• The incidence of both types of GVHD increases with patient age.