Complete remission of lichen-planus-like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP)

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1997 Mar;19(5):517-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1700661.

Abstract

A 45-year-old female patient with CML underwent allogeneic BMT and developed two episodes of acute GVHD. The first episode of acute cutaneous GVHD grade II (day +17) responded well to systemic CsA and steroids. During the second episode (around day +60) the patient developed erythroderma (grade III), and subsequently signs of lichen-planus-like GVHD. The patient did not respond to increased dosages of prednisolone and CsA. On day +89 extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) was initiated. After four cycles, a significant improvement of erythroderma and lichen-planus-like lesions was documented, and after 12 cycles, a lasting complete remission was achieved. To our knowledge this is the first report of successful treatment of early-onset, lichen-planus-like GVHD after allogeneic BMT with ECP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Extracorporeal Circulation*
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy
  • Lichen Planus
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • PUVA Therapy*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Remission Induction
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases / etiology
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Prednisolone