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Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Topical corticosteroid therapy for cicatricial conjunctivitis associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 33, pages 1031–1035 (2004)Cite this article

Summary:

A retrospective chart review was performed on seven patients treated with topical ocular corticosteroid therapy for progressive cicatricial conjunctivitis associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A clinical grading criteria for conjunctival GVHD based on the degree of cicatrization was developed and patients graded prior to therapy. During the treatment course, the dose and frequency of topical corticosteroids and clinical outcomes were recorded. A complete response was defined as a complete resolution of the conjunctival hyperemia with either total resolution of the conjunctival fibrovascularization or presence of inactive conjunctival scarring. Prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops were used in a total of eight courses of therapy in seven patients. A complete response was documented in all seven patients with a total treatment duration of 7 weeks (median, range: 3–16 weeks). Additional studies are required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of topical corticosteroids for cicatricial conjunctivitis associated with ocular GVHD in the context of a randomized, prospective clinical trial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    M R Robinson, S S Lee, B I Rubin & K G Csaky

  2. Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    A S Wayne

  3. Graft-versus-Host Disease and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    S Z Pavletic

  4. Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    M R Bishop

  5. Stem Cell Allotransplantation Section, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    R Childs & A J Barrett

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  1. M R Robinson
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  2. S S Lee
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  7. R Childs
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  8. A J Barrett
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Correspondence to M R Robinson.

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Robinson, M., Lee, S., Rubin, B. et al. Topical corticosteroid therapy for cicatricial conjunctivitis associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Bone Marrow Transplant 33, 1031–1035 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1704453

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1704453

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