Adjunctive Dietary Therapy Is Associated With Improved Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Steroid-Refractory Gastrointestinal Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Case Series
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Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Induction of Intestinal Graft-versus-host Disease and Its Mini-endoscopic Assessment in Live Mice
Published on: February 11, 2019
Tanyaporn Kaenkumchorn1, David L Suskind1, Dale Lee1
1From the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA.
Acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI GVHD) is a complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplant with high morbidity and mortality. In particular, steroid-refractory GI GVHD can be difficult to treat. Recent investigations have revealed that patients after transplant can experience intestinal dysbiosis contributing to the progression of GVHD. Modulation of the gut microbiome through dietary intake could potentially improve the intestinal dysbiosis in GI GVHD. In this case series, we present 3 patients where dietary therapy was used in conjunction with immunosuppression to achieve clinical remission of GI GVHD.
Acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI GVHD) is a complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplant with high morbidity and mortality. In particular, steroid-refractory GI GVHD can be difficult to treat. Recent investigations have revealed that patients after transplant can experience intestinal dysbiosis contributing to the progression of GVHD. Modulation of the gut microbiome through dietary intake could potentially improve the intestinal dysbiosis in GI GVHD. In this case series, we present 3 patients where dietary therapy was used in conjunction with immunosuppression to achieve clinical remission of GI GVHD.
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