Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Expert Review from the Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and Transplant Complications Working Party of the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Longitudinal Tear Cytokine Biomarkers: An Analysis from the Close Assessment and Testing for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (CATCH) Protocol

BACKGROUND

Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is one of the most common initial manifestations of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) leading to significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. Early detection of oGVHD using susceptibility/risk biomarkers is urgently needed to enable preemptive therapy.

OBJECTIVES

In this subset analysis of patients enrolled on the CATCH Study (NCT04188912), we tested whether changes in tear film cytokines or ocular symptoms, as assessed by the Lee symptom scale (LSS) eye subscale, can predict oGVHD onset.

STUDY DESIGN

LSS eye subscores, Inflammadry (MMP9) and conjunctival washing samples were collected before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and every 2 months (mos) until 12 mos. A custom-designed 13-plex human cytokine magnetic bead panel was used to measure: IL-10, IL-17A, IL-1Ra, IL-1α, ELA2, IL-1β, LIGHT/TNFSF14, NGAL, OSM, IL-8, IP-10, TNF-α, and VEGF-A. Cytokine levels at the pre-HCT visit were compared across the groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Fold change (FC) of the cytokines, defined as post-HCT value divided by pre-HCT value, was calculated and FC ≥ 2 was used in further analyses. oGVHD diagnosis was based on the NIH diagnostic criteria and having an eye score ≥1. Cox regression models were used to examine the longitudinal relationships between potential predictors and oGVHD development.

RESULTS

Of the 44 patients included, 18 developed oGVHD, 11 had cGVHD without oGVHD, and 15 did not have any cGVHD. Median age was 64.5 years, median time from HCT to cGVHD was 6.4 mos and to oGVHD was 8.3 mos. There were no significant differences in baseline cytokine levels among groups. None of the tear cytokines or the InflammaDry MMP9 test predicted oGVHD onset. Clinically meaningful change in LSS eye score was associated with subsequent oGVHD development when compared to cGVHD without eye involvement (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.1, P = .01); and when compared to controls (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.0, P = .004) but the PPV of LSS change ≥15 points was low (27.6%), with a higher NPV (89.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first prospective longitudinal study of tear cytokines and symptoms in a cohort of patients observed closely through HCT for development of cGVHD. We were not able to identify any biological susceptibility/risk markers for oGVHD. Patient-reported symptoms as measured by the LSS are associated with oGVHD development but the low PPV and overlap with diagnostic criteria limit its usefulness as a biomarker to guide preemptive treatment studies.

Safety and efficacy of human amniotic epithelial stem cell eye drops in ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease

Not available.

[Clinical study of the cytokine panel in the diagnosis of ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease]

Objective: To investigate the association between cytokines and ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and identify specific biomarkers for ocular cGVHD to enhance clinical diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation. Methods: A mouse model of cGVHD was established to explore the correlation between cGVHD and serum cytokines. Based on the findings from the animal experiments and literature review, a panel of 16 cytokine combinations was identified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to compare the cytokine concentrations in the serum and tear samples from patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from June 2017 to March 2022 at the Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University. Results: ① Compared with the control group, mice with cGVHD exhibited elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, CX3CL1, CXCL11, CXCL13, CCL11, and CCL19 concentrations (all P<0.05). ② Analysis of the cytokine profiles of the serum and tear samples revealed that compared with patients without ocular cGVHD, those with ocular cGVHD exhibited increased serum IL-8 [P=0.032, area under the curve (AUC) =0.678]; decreased serum IL-10 (P=0.030, AUC=0.701) ; elevated IL-8, IFN-γ, CXCL9, and CCL17 in tear samples; and lower IL-10 and CCL19 in tear samples (all P<0.05, all AUC>0.7). Moreover, cytokines in tear samples showed correlations with ocular surface parameters related to ocular cGVHD. Conclusions: Tear fluid demonstrates greater specificity and sensitivity as a biomarker for diagnosing ocular cGVHD than serum biomarkers. Among the identified cytokines in tear samples, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, CXCL9, CCL17, and CCL19 serve as diagnostic biomarkers for ocular cGVHD post-transplantation, offering practical reference value for diagnosis.

Sleep Quality in Patients With Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the sleep quality in patients with ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) compared with patients without oGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT) and healthy controls.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed 142 patients after alloHCT including 94 patients with oGVHD and 48 without. Fifty healthy controls were also enrolled. oGVHD was diagnosed according to International Chronic Ocular GVHD Consensus Group (ICOGCG) criteria. Sleep quality was assessed by the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI). Poor sleep quality was defined as CPQSI score greater than 6.

RESULTS

Patients after alloHCT demonstrated a significantly higher CPQSI score than those of controls {7.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 5.0-10.0] vs. 5.5 [IQR 4.8-7.0], P =0.002}, especially in the oGVHD subgroup (7.5 [IQR 5.0-11.0] vs. 6.0 [IQR 5.0-8.0], P =0.04) with nearly double prevalence of poor sleep quality (58 [62%] vs. 18 [37%], P =0.006). Poor sleep quality was strikingly correlated with oGVHD diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-6.34, P =0.04) and systemic immunosuppressants (adjusted OR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.32-5.71, P =0.02). Among the ocular parameters, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher ICOGCG score (adjusted OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39, P =0.02) and lower tear film break-up time (adjusted OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.99, P =0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality was associated with an increased severity of oGVHD and tear film instability in the long-term alloHCT survivorship.

Longitudinal Changes of Ocular Surface Microbiome in Patients Undergoing Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)

PURPOSE

To evaluate changes in the ocular surface microbiome (OSM) between pre- and post-haemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the same patient, and to assess the potential impact of these changes in ocular graft-versus-host disease (o)GVHD development.

METHODS

Lower fornix conjunctival swabs of 24 patients were obtained before and after HSCT and subjected to DNA extraction for amplification and sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The obtained reads were reconstructed, filtered, and clustered into zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) at 97% identity level before taxonomic assignment, and biodiversity indexes were calculated. Transplant characteristics were recorded, and dry eye was diagnosed and staged 1-4 according to the Dry Eye WorkShop (DEWS) score.

RESULTS

No significant difference in OSM alpha diversity between pre- and post-transplant was found. A significant difference in beta diversity was observed between patients with a DEWS score of 1 versus 3 (p = 0.035). Increased corneal damage between pre- and post-HSCT was significantly associated with a decrease in alpha diversity. The changes in OSM were not associated with oGVHD, nor with any transplant parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study is the first study to analyse changes in the OSM before and after HSCT longitudinally. No trend in OSM biodiversity, microbial profile, or overall composition changes before and after HSCT was significant or associated with oGVHD onset. The great variability in the observed OSM profiles seems to suggest the absence of a patient-specific OSM "signature".

Safety and efficacy of intense pulsed light in the treatment of severe chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety and efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of severe chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (coGVHD).

METHODS

A prospective cohort study. Seventeen patients with severe coGVHD were selected for inclusion in this study. All subjects were treated with IPL every fortnight together with conventional treatment, observation time points were pre-treatment (W0), 4 weeks post-treatment (W4), 8 weeks post-treatment (W8) and 12 weeks post-treatment (W12). Dry eye related examinations include Tear meniscus height (TMH), Non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), Schirmer I test, Tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), Ocular surface staining (OSS) and assessment of meibomian gland. Corneal epithelial cell morphology and inflammatory cell infiltration were analyzed by corneal confocal microscopy, while goblet cell density and squamous epithelial grade were assessed by conjunctival imprinted cytology.

RESULTS

Patients did not experience any adverse reactions during the follow-up period. All subjects showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms and most signs after IPL treatment. The corneal confocal microscopy showed that the number of dendritic cells infiltrates in the corneal stroma was significantly reduced after IPL treatment (p < 0.001). Conjunctival blot cytology suggested an increase in the number of conjunctival goblet cells from 5.12 ± 2.71 cells/mm2 before treatment to 22.00 ± 4.58 cells/mm2 after treatment, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). An improvement in conjunctival epithelial cell morphology and a decrease in squamous epithelial grade was also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

IPL treatment can effectively increase tear film stability in patients with severe coGVHD without significant side effects.

Alteration of Meibum Lipidomics Profiling in Patients With Chronic Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Purpose

To investigate the characteristics of the lipid profiling in meibum of patients with chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (coGVHD) and to detect the potential influence of anti-inflammatory therapy on these differential lipids.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 25 coGVHD patients and 13 non-coGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Among those with coGVHD, 14 had prior topical treatment (coGVHD(T)), and 11 did not (coGVHD(WT)). All participants completed ocular surface disease index questionnaire and received slit lamp examination, Schirmer's test without anesthesia, ocular surface interferometer, and meibography. Binocular meibum was collected and pooled for lipidomic analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results

One hundred and twenty differential lipid species were found among the three groups (96 of coGVHD(WT) vs. non-coGVHD, 78 of coGVHD(WT) vs. coGVHD(T), and three of non-coGVHD vs. coGVHD(T)). Compared with non-coGVHD group, coGVHD(WT) group had a significant abnormality of meibum composition, showing a significant decrease in glycerolipids, and an increase in glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Similar changes were also observed when coGVHD(WT) versus coGVHD(T). CoGVHD severity was negatively associated with mono-unsaturated triglycerides (TG), (β = -214.7; 95% CI, -363.9 to -65.5; P = 0.006) and poly-unsaturated TG (β = -4019.9; 95% CI, -7758.1 to -281.6; P = 0.036). Intensity of immunosuppression was negatively associated with mono-unsaturated TG (β = -162.4; 95% CI, -268.6 to -56.2; P = 0.004) and positively associated with phosphatidylcholine (β = 332.0; 95% CI, 19.2-644.8; P = 0.038).

Conclusions

Altered meibum in coGVHD is characterized by a decrease of glycerolipids and an increase of glycerophospholipids and may be significantly reversed by topical anti-inflammatory therapy.

Novel Approaches to the Treatment of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is an immune-mediated disease that ensues after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation often affecting multiple organs, decreases quality of life, and necessitates immunosuppressive therapy. The current standard first-line cGVHD therapy is glucocorticoids (GCs) which have major side effects. So far, all attempts to improve response to first-line GC therapy of cGVHD by adding other agents, such as mycophenolate mofetil, or cyclosporine A have not improved response. The data reported in the trial by Miklos et al indicate that ibrutinib should not be added to GC in first-line cGVHD therapy. The findings instruct future studies that aim at the identification of patients with cGVHD who may benefit from a GC-ibrutinib combination using biomarkers or clinical parameters. Currently, ibrutinib, ruxolitinib, and belumosudil are the only drugs that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for steroid-refractory cGVHD. In light of the current standard management of cGVHD, the trial results indicate that ibrutinib will remain reserved for second-line therapy, which may be due to its mechanisms of action. The recommendation on the basis of this trial is that GC monotherapy remains the standard therapy for cGVHD.

Vision-specific and cancer-specific quality of life in ocular graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

To compare the vision-specific and cancer-specific quality of life (QOL) between patients with and without ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT).

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study analyzed 142 patients after alloHCT including 94 patients with oGVHD and 48 without. oGVHD was diagnosed according to International Chronic Ocular GVHD Consensus Group (ICOGCG) criteria. QOL was assessed by using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30).

RESULTS

Compared with non-oGVHD patients, patients with oGVHD had worse vision-specific (NEI VFQ-25: 64.3 ± 20.3 vs. 77.6 ± 19.3, P < 0.001) and cancer-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30: 59.9 ± 20.3 vs. 67.4 ± 17.5, P = 0.03) QOL, as well as impaired cognitive function (72.7 ± 22.1 vs. 82.3 ± 19.0, P = 0.01). The vision-specific QOL was significantly correlated with ICOGCG score (β =  - 1.88, 95%CI: - 3.35 to - 0.41, P = 0.01) and post-alloHCT medical expense (β =  - 5.70, 95%CI: - 10.35 to - 1.05, P = 0.02), while cancer-specific QOL was strikingly correlated with post-alloHCT medical expense (β =  - 9.91, 95%CI: - 14.43 to - 5.39, P < 0.001), frequency of ophthalmic medication (β =  - 0.93, 95%CI: - 1.64 to - 0.21, P = 0.01), education (β =  - 6.97, 95%CI: - 13.31 to - 0.62, P = 0.03), and peripheral blood stem cell use (β =  - 6.42, 95%CI: - 12.59 to - 0.25, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with oGVHD experienced significant impairment in both vision-specific and cancer-specific QOL including cognitive function when compared with those without after alloHCT. Multidimensional QOL assessment should be included in the long-term alloHCT survivorship care.

Long-term health outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background

Fifty years of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has ushered in an exciting era of cellular therapy and has led to enormous progress in improving the outcomes of patients with both malignant and non-malignant hematologic disease. As the survival of transplanted patients has increased, so has the recognition of long-term complications related to this therapy.

Purpose

The goal of this review is to highlight some of the most common long-term complications of HCT.

Data sources

To this end, we have conducted a review of the published literature on the long-term complications of HCT encompassing the past 50 years.

Study selection

We have endeavored to include long-term complications reported in research articles, case series and case reports, reviews, and abstracts. We have focused primarily on adult allogeneic HCT, but have included some data from studies of pediatric allogeneic HCT as well. We have also prioritized the literature published in the last 15 years.

Data extraction

Key data supporting the onset and prevalence of the most common long-term complications was extracted.

Limitations

While the list of long-term complications extracted and reported was comprehensive, it was not exhaustive.

Conclusions

We have endeavored to highlight some of the most common long-term complications of HCT, the recognition and management of which constitutes an important part of HCT survivorship care.

Ocular Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease and Its Relation to Other Organ Manifestations and Outcomes after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has been shown to significantly reduce quality of life after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To learn more about this bothersome complication, we investigated the relationship between ocular cGVHD and cGVHD in other organs. We also investigated the associations between ocular cGVHD and overall mortality, nonrelapse mortality, and relapse. In this single-center study, we retrospectively included 1221 consecutive adults who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Patients were examined by an ophthalmologist before HSCT and annually for 5 years after HSCT or more frequently if needed. Patients with dry eye disease before HSCT were excluded. The International Chronic Ocular GVHD Consensus Group criteria were used to diagnose ocular cGVHD. Nonocular cGVHD was diagnosed using the National Institute of Health criteria. Out of 601 patients who were diagnosed with systemic cGVHD during follow-up, 279 (46%) developed ocular cGVHD. Ocular cGVHD was more frequent in patients with extensive cGVHD compared to those with limited cGVHD (50% versus 29%; P < .0001) and was associated with cGVHD in skin (P < .0001), oral cavity (P = .0024), genitals (P = .0023), and nails (P = .031). The frequency of ocular cGVHD was higher in patients with skin cGVHD with sclerosis compared to those with skin cGVHD without sclerosis (70% versus 49%; P = .0003). In an adjusted time-dependent Cox model, ocular cGVHD was associated with increased nonrelapse mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 2.21; P = .003), whereas there was no support for an association with relapse (adjusted HR, .85; 95% CI, .53 to 1.36; P = .5). Special attention to eye problems after HSCT should be given to patients with extensive cGVHD and cGVHD in ectodermal-derived organs (skin, mouth, nails, and genitals). Furthermore, ocular cGVHD is a potential risk factor for nonrelapse mortality. © 2022 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Multicenter prospective validation study for international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease consensus diagnostic criteria

PURPOSE

To validate the international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) diagnostic criteria (ICCGVHD) compared to the National Institute of Health diagnostic criteria 2014 (NIH2014) for chronic ocular GVHD.

METHODS

Between 2013 and 2019, the study enrolled 233 patients with or without chronic ocular GVHD combined with the presence or absence of systemic chronic GVHD in an internationally prospective multicenter and observational cohort from 9 institutions. All patients were evaluated for four clinical parameters of ICCGVHD.

RESULTS

The relation between the ICCGVHD score (0-11) and NIH2014 eye score (0-4) was relatively high (r = 0.708, 95% CI: 0.637-0.767, p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of ICCGVHD for NIH 2014 for 233 patients were 94.3% (95% CI: 89.6%-98.1%) and 71.7% (95% CI: 63.0-79.5%), respectively (cutoff value of the ICCGVHD score = 6). The positive predictive value was 77.1% (95% CI: 71.1%-82.1%), and the negative predictive value was 87.0% (95% CI:81.6-92.5%). For the patients with systemic GVHD (n = 171), the sensitivity and specificity were 94.2% and 67.2%, respectively (ICCGVHD-score cutoff value = 6). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.903 (95% CI: 0.859-0.948). For patients without systemic GVHD (n = 62), the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 76.7%, respectively (ICCGVHD-score cutoff value = 6). The AUC was 0.891 (95% CI 0.673-1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Good sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and correlation were found between ICCGVHD and NIH2014. ICCGVHD scores ≥6 can be useful to diagnose ocular GVHD with or without systemic GVHD for clinical research.

A plethora of ocular surface manifestations in a multidisciplinary ocular graft-versus-host disease unit

To describe the experience in a recently created ocular graft-versus-host disease unit in a tertiary hospital and to detail ocular surface features and complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This retrospective study included all patients who underwent allo-HSCT, with or without chronic GVHD and were being monitored in the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit in the UNICAMP Clinical Hospital (Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil) from 2015 to 2020. Patients were concomitantly evaluated by hematology and ophthalmology teams of the Ocular GVHD Unit. Hematologists performed a comprehensive systemic evaluation searching and grading mouth, skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver and genitalia GVHD. While ophthalmologists evaluated ocular symptoms through specific questionnaire (Ocular Surface Disease Index-OSDI) and a protocol of distinct ocular surface parameters for dry eye disease (1) and ocular complications, which encompassed meniscometry, non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) measurement, conjunctival hyperemia quantification, meibography, fluorescein and lissamine staining and Schirmer's test. Patients were diagnosed with chronic GVHD using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Criteria for Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease. The International Chronic Ocular GVHD Consensus Group (ICOGCG) score was obtained at the onset of ocular disease presentation or afterwards. A total of 82 patients underwent allo-HSCT (97.6% full matched and 2.4% haploidentical), mainly for cases of leukemia and 73.2% had chronic GVHD. Mean onset time for chronic GVHD was 232 ± 7.75 days. The mouth, skin, and eyes were the main organs involved (63%, 50%, and 48%, respectively). Symptom scores and all ocular surface parameters differ in patients with and without chronic GVHD and along different timepoints of the follow-up. Ocular complications mostly involved were severe DED and meibomian gland dysfunction, conjunctival scarring, cataract and infections resulting in keratitis and corneal perforation. As therapeutic strategies, 73% patients received preservative-free lubricants, 27% autologous serum, 48% topical steroids, 27% oral tetracycline derivatives, 22% mucolytic eye drops and 3 patients needed bandage contact lens. Ocular GVHD is a complex and challenging disease with varied manifestations, resulting in a broad range of ocular test endpoints, and inconsistent treatment responses. The main ocular presentations were dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction and cataracts. The therapeutic approach often involves topical steroids and autologous serum tears. It is important to monitor these patients closely, so the ocular GVHD Unit may improve the care, providing prompt identification of ocular manifestations and faster treatment of complications.

Ocular graft-versus-host disease and dry eye disease after paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation - incidence and risk factors

Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) contributes substantially to morbidity after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) but is sparsely investigated in children. We assessed incidence and risk factors for oGVHD and dry eye disease (DED) in a nationwide, single-centre study of 484 consecutive children receiving HSCT during the period 1980-2016. Ophthalmological examinations were performed before and annually at least until five years after HSCT. Twenty-five patients had DED before transplantation (5.6%). The cumulative incidence was 1.9% for acute oGVHD, 6.0% for chronic oGVHD, 8.7% for new onset DED, and 12.7% for new onset Corneal Fluorescein Staining (CFS). In adjusted Fine-Gray regression models, the use of Busulfan was a risk factor for developing acute oGVHD (HR 5.01, p = 0.03), and malignant disease was a risk factor for developing CFS (HR 2.00, p = 0.047). Younger recipient age was associated with reduced risk of DED when comparing children aged 0-4 years with 10-16 years (HR 0.33, p = 0.03). These data underscore the need of attention to DED and oGVHD in relation to HSCT leading to our recommendation of performing ophthalmic examinations in all children before HSCT, and after HSCT when needed, in order to secure diagnosis and treatment of these complications.

Scleral Lens and Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem Utilization in Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Survey Study

Purpose

To evaluate the utilization of scleral lenses and prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem devices (SL/PDs) in the management of ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD).

Patients and Methods

A survey of 15 questions was sent via email to 6032 subjects registered with the Blood and Marrow Transplant Information Network. The survey reviewed transplant history, graft-versus-host disease history, as well as oGVHD symptoms and onset. Additional questions surveyed treatments used for oGVHD, as well as the degree of ocular symptom control and experience with SL/PDs. A total of 306 respondents met the eligibility requirements to be part of the analyzed cohort.

Results

The mean number of symptoms reported from the analyzed cohort was 4.79 ± 2.44, median (IQR) of 5.0 (3.0 to 7.0), with the most common symptom being gritty, dry eyes (87%). The mean number of treatments utilized across the analyzed cohort was 3.21 ± 2.55, median (IQR) of 2.5 (1.0 to 5.0), with the most common treatment being artificial tears (86%). Wearing scleral lenses resulted in a mean of 5.42 ± 1.86, median (IQR) of 6.0 (4.0 to 7.0) symptoms improving, with improved dryness/grittiness of the eyes (94%), improved eye pain (92%) and improved quality of life (89%) being the most commonly improved symptoms. Fifty-six percent of those wearing scleral lenses wished the lenses had been recommended sooner. The most common reason patients cited for not wearing scleral lenses was that they had never heard of them (63%).

Conclusion

SL/PDs help to control the symptoms of oGVHD. With their use, clinicians are able to improve the quality of life of this patient population. Despite the known benefits, SL/PDs still remain underutilized in oGVHD care. A majority of current SL/PD wearers wish that they had been recommended sooner as a treatment option. SL/PDs should be considered a component of comprehensive oGVHD management.

Local Renin-Angiotensin System Activation and Myofibroblast Formation in Graft Versus Host Disease-Associated Conjunctival Fibrosis

Purpose

The present study was designed to investigate the role of myofibroblast transdifferentiation and the conjunctival renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)–associated conjunctival fibrosis.

Methods

A mouse model of major histocompatibility-matched allogeneic transplantation was used to induce GVHD, with male B10.D2 mice as donors and female BALB/c mice as recipients. Male BALB/c to female BALB/c syngeneic transplantation was used as control. Y chromosome staining in the spleen cells obtained from female recipient mice was used to confirm engraftment. The phenol red thread test and fluorescein staining were used to quantify tears and corneal keratopathy. Eyes were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks after the transplant for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), angiotensinogen, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) immunostaining. Conjunctiva was harvested for gene expression quantification of α-SMA, angiotensinogen, and ACE.

Results

More than 80% of the spleen cells in the recipient mice were chromosome Y positive, thus conforming successful engraftment. A significant decrease in tear secretion and a marked increase in corneal keratopathy score after allogeneic transplantation indicated the onset of ocular GVHD in these mice. A significant increase in α-SMA gene expression and the presence of a large number of α-SMA–positive cells was noted in the bulbar orbital conjunctiva of mice after allogeneic transplantation. Allogenic transplantation also caused a significant increase in the gene expression and protein expression of angiotensinogen and ACE in the subconjunctival eyelid area.

Conclusions

Results of the present study demonstrate that GVHD-associated conjunctival fibrosis is accompanied by myofibroblast formation and activation of the local conjunctival RAS.

The clinical landscape of chronic graft-versus-host disease management in 2021

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is an important systemic complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with heterogeneous, multi-organ involvement that can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite significant advances in understanding the complex pathophysiology driving the disease, curative treatment options remain suboptimal. The past decade, however, has seen much growth in collaborative research efforts and standardization of criteria for clinical trials that have led to discovery of several new second-line therapies in cGVHD. The key to successful cGVHD control and management includes a comprehensive and sustained multidisciplinary effort with emphasis on ancillary and supportive care for these patients. The focus of this review is to summarize the new developments in systemic, organ-specific, and topical treatments in the management of cGVHD that emerged since the 2014 NIH consensus conference.

Keeping an 'eye' on ocular GVHD

Ocular graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a common manifestation in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Ocular GVHD affects approximately 10% of patients with acute GVHD and more than 50% of patients with chronic GVHD. Symptoms of dry eye disease are one of the clinical hallmarks of ocular GVHD, and inflammatory changes to the ocular surface, cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids and lacrimal glands have been observed. Less commonly, the posterior segment of the eye is involved in the form of microvascular retinopathy, scleritis or intraretinal and vitreous haemorrhage. Although ocular GVHD does not usually result in permanent visual loss, it often impairs the patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. Regular and more consistent ocular assessment of allo-HSCT patients, including screening prior to transplantation will allow for the earlier detection and treatment of ocular complications associated with GVHD and potentially prevent more severe outcomes. The implementation of additional screening including corneal endothelial cell density assessment and non-invasive analysis of tear biomarkers may be valuable additions to current clinical testing and assist in better detection and clinical intervention in patients with GVHD. This review describes the clinical features, diagnostic criteria and clinical scoring of ocular GVHD, as well as current treatment strategies and potential ophthalmic screening tools for common ocular complications. Further, we describe the clinical and histopathological features of ocular GVHD in preclinical mouse models.

The Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After the Development of a Pseudomembrane

BACKGROUND

Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the most severe complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It manifests as an impairment of the ocular surface, such as severe dry eye disease, and deteriorates the recipient's visual function and quality of life. We encountered an "overlap syndrome" of ocular GVHD, which is characterized by the presence of both acute and chronic GVHD symptoms. In this report, we present the treatment progress of the overlap syndrome in a case with ocular GVHD.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 57-year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Six weeks after the treatment, the recipient complained of eye pain and discharge. He was diagnosed with the overlap syndrome due to low tear volume, severe corneal epithelitis, hyperemia, and a pseudomembrane on the conjunctiva. Immune cells infiltration, fibrinoid degeneration, fibroblastic and spindle-shaped cells, and fibrosis were observed in the pathology of the pseudomembrane. The recipient was treated with topical immunosuppression and pseudomembrane removal. One week after the initial treatment, ocular GVHD improved. Twelve weeks after the treatment, the topical steroid was discontinued due to the elevation of intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of conjunctival pseudomembrane in ocular GVHD is important to determine the stage of the case and to assess systemic GVHD. Furthermore, prompt removal of the pseudomembrane after diagnosis is an appropriate management to reduce the symptoms of ocular GVHD. The combination of topical steroids and immunosuppressive agents is suggested to be an effective treatment in management of overlap syndrome.

Involvement of ocular surface in graft-versus-host disease: An update from immunopathogenesis to treatment

Graft-versus-host disease is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the ocular surface is a main target of inflammatory reaction.

The Association between Meibomian Gland Atrophy and Corneal Subbasal Nerve Loss in Patients with Chronic Ocular Graft-versus-host Disease

Purpose: To investigate the association between meibomian gland (MG) loss and corneal subbasal nerve plexus density in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) related dry eye disease (DED).Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 22 adult patients with severe DED secondary to chronic GVHD. Control group comprised age- and sex-matched 28 healthy subjects with no evidence of ocular disease. All subjects underwent tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal staining, Schirmer I test without anesthesia, quantitative MG drop-out assessment using infrared meibography and corneal subbasal nerve density measurements with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) (ConfoScan4, Nidek, Japan). One eye per patient was included for statistical purposes. Mann-Whitney U test and one-way multivariate ANOVA test were used for comparative analyses.Results: Compared to healthy subjects (mean age = 26.9 ± 13.5 years (range = 20-44 years)), patients with chronic GVHD (mean age = 29.6 ± 12.6 years (range = 19-45 years)) had worse meibography scores (p < .001), reduced corneal subbasal nerve plexus densities (p < .001), lower TBUT scores (p = .012), lower Schirmer I values (p = .001) and higher corneal staining scores (p = 003). Meiboscores in the GVHD and control groups were 2.9 ± 1.1 (range = 1-4) vs. 0.7 ± 0.4 (range = 0-2) for the superior (p < .001), and 3.2 ± 1.2 (range = 2-4) vs. 0.5 ± 0.3 (range = 0-2) for inferior (p < .001) eyelids, respectively. Corneal subbasal nerve densities of patients with GVHD did not reveal a correlation with meiboscores (r = 0.030; p = .709 for the inferior and r = 0.268; p = .075 for the superior eyelids) but showed a weak correlation with Schirmer I test values (r = 0.268; p = .014).Conclusions: Patients with chronic GVHD are at high risk for developing DED and MG dysfunction. In the setting of chronic GVHD-related DED, MG loss does not appear to be a significant factor for corneal subbasal nerve damage.

Steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease: treatment options and patient management

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is one of the major causes of late mortality after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Moderate-to-severe cGVHD is associated with poor health-related quality of life and substantial disease burden. While corticosteroids with or without calcineurin inhibitors comprise the first-line treatment option, the prognosis for patients with steroid-refractory cGVHD (SR-cGVHD) remains poor. The mechanisms underlying steroid resistance are unclear, and there are no standard second-line treatment guidelines for patients with SR-cGVHD. In this review, we provide an overview on current treatment options of cGVHD and use a series of theoretical case studies to elucidate the rationale of choices of second- and third-line treatment options for patients with SR-cGVHD based on individual patient profiles.

Efficacy and retention of silicone punctal plugs for treatment of dry eye in patients with and without ocular graft-versus-host-disease

PURPOSE

To examine the retention rates and efficacy of silicone punctal plugs for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with ocular graft-versus-host-disease (oGVHD) in comparison to dry eye disease due to non-oGVHD etiologies.

METHODS

We reviewed the case-records of 864 consecutive patients with DED who were symptomatic despite topical therapy and had silicone punctal plugs placed over an eight-year- period at a single academic center. We compared plug retention rates in oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Furthermore, we analyzed changes in objective ocular surface parameters including tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score in plug-retaining patients at two-, six- and twelve-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Median age of dry eye patients was 58 years, and 606 (70%) of patients were women. In the cohort, 264 (31%) patients were diagnosed with oGVHD. Plug retention was significantly lower in oGVHD-DED patients compared to non-oGVHD-DED patients (p < 0.0001). We observed significant improvement in CFS scores in plug retaining-oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients at all time points. Tear break-up time was significantly prolonged at six- and twelve-months follow-up in non-oGVHD patients, whereas significant change in TBUT in oGVHD patients was recorded only at twelve months post plug placement. Schirmer's score improved significantly in plug retaining-non-oGVHD DED patients at six- and twelve-months follow-up, however no significant change was observed in Schirmer's score in oGVHD DED patients.

CONCLUSIONS

An improvement in ocular surface disease parameters was observed in both plug-retaining oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients. However, a majority of oGVHD DED patients spontaneously lost their punctal plugs within 90 days of placement. Therefore, regular follow-up after plug placement is recommended to detect plug loss and ensure adequate disease control.

Late complications and quality of life assessment for survivors receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

The survival rates of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have improved. However, HSCT can induce significant long-term complications. Therefore, we investigated the late complications and risk factors for quality of life (QOL) post-HSCT.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 67 adult survivors over 2 years after HSCT between 2015 and 2018 at Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea. The survey data including FACT-BMT, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and NCCN Distress Thermometer were collected as patient-reported outcomes using a tablet PC during a routine practice of survivorship clinic.

RESULTS

The median age was 46 years. The most common symptom was fatigue (80.6%). Younger age (< 60 years), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and immunosuppressant use were significantly associated with worse QOL and depression. Additionally, younger survivors (< 60 years) showed significantly more fatigue and anxiety compared with elderly survivors (≥ 60 years). Female sex was significantly associated with lower physical well-being and higher distress than male sex.

CONCLUSION

Younger patients (< 60 years), female, ALL, chronic GVHD, and continuous immunosuppressant use were significant risk factors for worse QOL and depression. Hence, creating a more active survivorship care plan after HSCT, specifically for these patients, is required.

Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution for treatment of ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease

Ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is a relatively common complication that occurs following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is the most common manifestation of oGVHD. Lifitegrast is a lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 antagonist approved to reduce inflammation and symptoms in patients with dry eye disease. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of lifitegrast (5% ophthalmic solution) in patients with ocular GVHD in a single-institution retrospective cohort study of eighteen allogeneic transplant recipients who received topical lifitegrast for oGVHD treatment. The outcome of interest was improvement in oGVHD severity score by National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria. Lifitegrast was well-tolerated and no serious adverse events were observed. Lifitegrast significantly improved NIH severity scores in 8 (44%) patients. The findings of this study suggest lifitegrast is safe, well-tolerated and is an effective option for oGVHD manifesting as KCS. Prospective evaluation is warranted to confirm efficacy of lifitegrast in this population.HighlightsIn this single-institution retrospective cohort study of eighteen patients who received allogeneic transplant between 2013 and 2018, and received topical lifitegrast for treatment of ocular GVHD, the results demonstrate that lifitegrast eye drops were well-tolerated and led to improvement in symptoms of KCS in 8 (44%) patients.Lifitegrast has the potential to fulfill an unmet need in allogeneic transplant patients with ocular GVHD. Further prospective study is warranted for confirmation.