Regression of cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with chronic cutaneous graft versus host disease

Dermatol Online J. 2014 May 16;20(5):22614.

Abstract

Numerous complications can be observed in the post-transplant period among recipients of hematopoietic stem cells including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, graft versus tumor (GVT) effect is a well-described phenomenon in patients with hematologic malignancies and has also been reported in renal cell cancer, ovarian cancer, breast carcinoma, and melanoma. We describe spontaneous regression of a cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma and multifocal atypical intraepidermal proliferations in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease following initiation of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). This observation raises questions regarding the GVT in cutaneous neoplasms and potential immunomodulatory effects of ECP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photopheresis*
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology