OBJECTIVE:Patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may experience oral complications due to chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). The manifestations may include progressive sclerosis-like changes that may involve various body sites, including the oropharynx.

METHODS AND RESULTS:We present two cGVHD cases of oropharyngeal fibrotic changes that affected functions that were treated with photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. These case reports suggest that PBM therapy represents an additional, innovative approach affecting discrete phases in cGVHD-associated fibrotic changes.

CONCLUSIONS:We discuss these observations in the context of currently understood molecular mechanisms, especially induction of transforming growth factor beta and NFκB that appear to be counter-intuitive to their known roles in matrix synthesis and inflammation that contribute to tissue fibroses. The clinical benefit noted in the two cases presented clearly indicates that there are distinct mechanistic and biological insights in the regulation of these molecular pathways in determining therapeutic efficacy with PBM therapy.

OBJECTIVE:Patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may experience oral complications due to chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). The manifestations may include progressive sclerosis-like changes that may involve various body sites, including the oropharynx.

METHODS AND RESULTS:We present two cGVHD cases of oropharyngeal fibrotic changes that affected functions that were treated with photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. These case reports suggest that PBM therapy represents an additional, innovative approach affecting discrete phases in cGVHD-associated fibrotic changes.

CONCLUSIONS:We discuss these observations in the context of currently understood molecular mechanisms, especially induction of transforming growth factor beta and NFκB that appear to be counter-intuitive to their known roles in matrix synthesis and inflammation that contribute to tissue fibroses. The clinical benefit noted in the two cases presented clearly indicates that there are distinct mechanistic and biological insights in the regulation of these molecular pathways in determining therapeutic efficacy with PBM therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a serious complication of blood component transfusion therapy, caused by donor T lymphocytes.γ-Irradiation or pathogen inactivation methods, capable of inactivating proliferating T cells in blood components, should be selected to prevent TA-GVHD. This review summarizes the published evidence to support the use of pathogen-reduced platelets with amotosalen (150 μm) and ultraviolet A light(UVA, 320-400 nm, 3 J/cm) for preventing TA-GVHD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:Available literature on the use of pathogen-reduced platelets to prevent TA-GVHD was reviewed.

RESULTS:Observational studies, animal models, in vitro studies and mechanistic studies of pathogen-reduced platelets with amotosalen and UVA light showed that inactivation of T cells are equal or even superior toγ-irradiation.

CONCLUSION:Pathogen-reduced platelets with amotosalen and UVA light can be used as a measure to prevent TA-GVHD.