title: Graft-versus-host disease: part I. Pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of graft-versus-host disease.
abstract: Approximately 25,000 allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants are performed worldwide each year for a variety of malignant and non-malignant conditions. Graft-versus-host disease represents one of the most frequent complications and is a major source of long-term morbidity and mortality. Whereas acute graft-versus-host disease is induced by recognition of host tissues as foreign by immunocompetent donor cells, the pathogenesis of chronic graft-versus-host disease is not as well understood, and continues to be a major treatment challenge. Part I of this two-part series reviews the epidemiologic factors, classification, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Part II discusses the topical, physical, and systemic treatment options available to patients with graft-versus-host disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA. srhymes@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Sharon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hymes
authors.forename: Amin M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alousi
authors.forename: Edward W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Cowen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans