![]() ![]() Generally, graft-versus-host disease that develops within 3 months following transplantation is called acute graft-versus-host disease, whereas graft-versus-host disease that develops later is called chronic graft-versus-host disease. Graft-versus-host disease can develop within days or as long as 3 years after transplantation. Graft-versus-host disease also increases a patient’s susceptibility to infection. The common symptoms of acute graft-versus-host disease are skin rashes, jaundice, liver disease and diarrhea. In this reaction, lymphocytes from the donor attack cells in the body of the recipient especially in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver. Lymphocytes contained in donated marrow or blood stem cells cause a reaction called graft-versus-host disease. Graft-versus-host disease is a common complication of allogeneic stem cell transplant. In clinical trials, Kepivance™ has demonstrated the ability to protect the epithelial cells from the damaging effects of radiation, and chemotherapy in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplants , and is being further evaluated to determine whether it may benefit patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Kepivance™ is the first FDA-approved drug for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis. Kepivance™ has properties that stimulate the cells that line the mouth and GI tract (called epithelial cells) to grow and develop, which may help to reduce mucositis. Kepivance™ (palifermin) is a type of growth factor that is made through laboratory processes to mimic the natural compound made in the body. The body produces many different types of growth factors. Growth factors are natural substances produced by the body to stimulate cell growth. Until recently, the only approaches to managing oral mucositis included good oral care mouthwashes cryotherapy (sucking on ice chips) to minimize the damage from chemotherapy drugs Salagen®, a drug that stimulates salivary flow and other investigational treatments.Ī promising new approach to the prevention and treatment of mouth sores is the use of growth factors. For this reason, the GI tract is particularly susceptible to damage by chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which results in mucositis. The entire GI tract, including the mouth and the throat, is made up of cells that divide rapidly. Unfortunately, many normal cells in the body are also rapidly dividing and can sustain damage from chemotherapy as well. In fact, patients undergoing stem cell transplantation have complained that mucositis is the single most debilitating side effect from treatment. Ĭhemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective at killing rapidly dividing cells, a hallmark characteristic of some cancers. The majority of patients treated with a stem cell transplant will develop mucositis. Mucositis is one of the most common side effects of the intensive therapy that precedes stem cell transplantation. This condition is also commonly referred to as mouth sores. Mucositis is an inflammation of the lining of the mouth or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Prophylactic antibiotics can also decrease the incidence of herpes zoster infection, which commonly occurs after high-dose chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant. Prophylactic antibiotic administration can prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and some bacterial and fungal infections. Patients are often required to take antibiotics to prevent infections from occurring for weeks to months after initial recovery from allogeneic stem cell transplant. The immune system takes even longer to recover than white blood cell production, with a resultant susceptibility to some bacterial, fungal and viral infections for weeks to months. The growth factor Neupogen® also increases the rate of white blood cell recovery and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use during allogeneic stem cell transplant. Stem cells collected from peripheral blood tend to engraft faster than bone marrow and may reduce the risk of infection by shortening the period of neutropenia. Bacterial infections are the most common during this initial period of neutropenia. Frequently Asked Questions About SurgeryĬomplications or Side Effects of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantĭuring the 2-3 weeks it takes the new bone marrow to grow and produce white blood cells, patients are susceptible to infection and require the administration of antibiotics to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.Prevention and Management of Radiation Side Effects.What To Expect During Radiation Treatment.Techniques for Delivering Radiation Therapy. ![]() Understanding and Monitoring Your Blood Counts.
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