Chronic GvHD-associated serositis and pericarditis

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Serositis is an uncommon manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD).
• Limited data exist on risk factors, laboratory changes, and outcomes for cGvHD-associated serositis.
• This study investigates a cohort of patients with cGvHD-related serositis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors and laboratory changes associated with cGvHD-serositis.
• To describe the outcomes of patients with cGvHD-serositis.
• To characterize serositis in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of institutional database for patients with cGvHD-associated serositis or pericarditis post-allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant.
• Analysis of laboratory data (pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, post-diagnosis) and outcomes of invasive procedures.
• Evaluation of treatment response, particularly to steroids.

Main Results:

• Twenty patients met criteria for cGvHD-serositis; most had prior cGvHD diagnosis and occurred during immunosuppressant taper.
• Ten patients required invasive interventions; a significant increase in monocytes and decrease in albumin were noted at diagnosis.
• Seventeen patients received steroids, with 12 achieving a complete response.

Conclusions:

• cGvHD-associated serositis predominantly occurs in patients with treated, not de novo, cGvHD.
• Biomarkers include decreased serum albumin and increased absolute monocyte count.
• Further research with larger series is needed to optimize management strategies for this rare complication.