Determinants and Clinical Significance of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Musculoskeletal symptoms in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) are rare manifestations contributing to disease burden. This study assesses the frequency of muscle cramps, joint and muscle aches, and muscle weakness in a cohort of patients severely affected by cGVHD. Three hundred thirty-four patients participated in the NCI natural history study of cGVHD (NCT00092235) from October 2004 to March 2017.

Long-term follow-up after lymphodepleting autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for treatment-resistant systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHSCT) improves immunologic dysfunction in patients with SLE. However, the curative potential of this therapy remains uncertain. This study reports outcomes in SLE patients receiving a lymphodepleting, reduced intensity regimen for AHSCT in SLE.

Clinical characterization and cytokine profile of fatigue in hematologic malignancy patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Limited information is available regarding clinical and biological properties of fatigue in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). Patients with moderate-to-severe cGvHD per NIH criteria were enrolled on a cross-sectional study and categorized as "fatigued" if SF-36 vitality score was <40. Clinical and laboratory parameters of fatigued (n = 109) and nonfatigued patients (n = 72) were compared.

Ocular surface indicators and biomarkers in chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease: a prospective cohort study.

This longitudinal cohort study compared ocular surface indicators in forty allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) subjects with twenty healthy controls at baseline and identified changes in ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD). Outcome measures included: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear osmolarity, Schirmer's test, Oxford corneal staining score, tear break-up time (TBUT), and tear and serum biomarkers (IFN-γ, IL-10, MMP-9, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, CXCL10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, RANTES, TNF-α). At baseline the HSCT group had higher median Oxford corneal staining score (1.

Clinical characteristics and cytokine biomarkers in patients with chronic graft-vs-host disease persisting seven or more years after diagnosis.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the leading late complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Many patients receive multiple lines of systemic therapy until cGVHD resolves, but about 15% remain on systemic treatment for more than 7 years after cGVHD diagnosis. This study describes the clinical and biological factors of patients who present with cGVHD persisting for ≥7 years (persistent cGVHD).

Bromodomain inhibition of the coactivators CBP/EP300 facilitate cellular reprogramming.

Silencing of the somatic cell type-specific genes is a critical yet poorly understood step in reprogramming. To uncover pathways that maintain cell identity, we performed a reprogramming screen using inhibitors of chromatin factors. Here, we identify acetyl-lysine competitive inhibitors targeting the bromodomains of coactivators CREB (cyclic-AMP response element binding protein) binding protein (CBP) and E1A binding protein of 300 kDa (EP300) as potent enhancers of reprogramming.

Achalasia in a Patient Undergoing Hematologic Stem Cell Transplant After Exposure to Tacrolimus.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are effective agents used for prevention of graft-vs-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or for organ rejection in solid-organ transplant. However, CNIs have a wide range of adverse effects that may necessitate changing to another CNI or immunosuppressive agent. We report a case of acute myeloid leukemia in which achalasia developed after exposure to tacrolimus, as revealed by esophagram results.