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Myositis associated with graft-versus-host disease
P M Parker1, H Openshaw, S J Forman
1Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, USA.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|February 12, 1998
Summary
Polymyositis can rarely develop in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplants. This condition, similar to idiopathic myositis, responds to prednisone and potentially cyclosporine for managing the underlying graft-versus-host disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Neurology
Background:
- Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is a significant complication post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
- cGvHD involves immune-mediated rejection and can trigger autoimmune processes.
- Polymyositis is a recognized, albeit rare, complication of cGvHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical and pathological features of polymyositis in the context of cGvHD.
- To evaluate treatment strategies for cGvHD-related polymyositis.
- To compare cGvHD-related polymyositis with idiopathic myositis.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case review.
- Pathological assessment of muscle biopsies.
- Analysis of treatment responses.
Main Results:
- cGvHD-related polymyositis presents similarly to idiopathic myositis.
- Prednisone demonstrates efficacy in treating cGvHD-related polymyositis.
- Cyclosporine shows promise as a second-line therapy, particularly for controlling underlying cGvHD.
Conclusions:
- Polymyositis is a rare but distinct complication of chronic graft-versus-host disease.
- Standard polymyositis treatments, like prednisone, are effective.
- Cyclosporine may be crucial for managing both polymyositis and the underlying cGvHD.