Abstract

In a NIH study, half of the women with genital chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) had vaginal adhesions with one-third of these developing months after vulvar symptoms (Stratton, Obstet Gynecol, 2007;110:1041). Some with labial and vaginal adhesions have required surgery (Norian and Stratton, Obstet Gynecol, 2008;112:437). Furthermore, systemic immunosuppression is ineffective in preventing or treating genital cGVHD. An estrogen ring improved vaginal synechiae in all treated patients. Topical superpotent steroids and estrogen (with dilators for vaginal cGVHD) were effective in treating all vulvar and some vaginal cGVHD. Genital cGVHD should be considered and gynecologic assessment performed in women with cGVHD, even if they are asymptomatic. Squamous cell cancers, which include cervical cancer, are the most common second malignancy after HSCT. Preliminary reports indicate a loss of HPV seroreactivity among transplant recipients. In a recent NIH study, adult females were followed prospectively with cervical cytology testing long-term after HSCT for hematological malignancies (median: 7 years post-transplant;Savani and Stratton, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2008 Sep;14:1072). One-third had HPV-related SIL (median time to SIL 51 months, range: 22-108) including high-grade SIL in 20%. Patients requiring continued ImmunoSuppressive Therapy (IST) had the highest risk (odds ratio OR 4.6, 95% confidence interval CI 1.1-16.4;P = .019). These abnormal cervical cytology results represent HPV disease that does not appear to be newly acquired HPV disease as many are not having intercourse. It is reasonable to hypothesize that a loss of antibody titers and/or T cell immunity to HPV can cause recurrence or reactivation of HPV disease. This high incidence of SIL in long-term HSCT survivors underscores the importance of gynecologic assessment after transplantation as well as the assessment of potential preventative strategies. In the next year, this clinical study will be conducted in women post stem cell transplantation. Genital cGVHD and its sequelae in women will also be further characterized.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIAHD008900-02
Application #
8351253
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$106,766
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code

  Publications

Bassim, C W; Fassil, H; Mays, J W et al. (2015) Oral disease profiles in chronic graft versus host disease. J Dent Res 94:547-54
Jagasia, Madan H; Greinix, Hildegard T; Arora, Mukta et al. (2015) National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: I. The 2014 Diagnosis and Staging Working Group report. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 21:389-401.e1
Chang, Katherine; Merideth, Melissa A; Stratton, Pamela (2015) Hormone Use for Therapeutic Amenorrhea and Contraception During Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Obstet Gynecol 126:779-84
Stratton, P (2015) Gynecologic care after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a call to action to include gynecologists in the transplant team. Bone Marrow Transplant 50:1-2
Li, Zhuoyan; Mewawalla, Prerna; Stratton, Pamela et al. (2015) Sexual health in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Cancer 121:4124-31
Joshi, S; Savani, B N; Chow, E J et al. (2014) Clinical guide to fertility preservation in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Bone Marrow Transplant 49:477-84
Sri, T; Merideth, M A; Pulanic, T Klepac et al. (2013) Human papillomavirus reactivation following treatment of genital graft-versus-host disease. Transpl Infect Dis 15:E148-51
Baird, Kristin; Steinberg, Seth M; Grkovic, Lana et al. (2013) National Institutes of Health chronic graft-versus-host disease staging in severely affected patients: organ and global scoring correlate with established indicators of disease severity and prognosis. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 19:632-9
Purisch, Stephanie E; Shanis, Dana; Zerbe, Christa et al. (2013) Management of uterine bleeding during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Obstet Gynecol 121:424-7
Shanis, Dana; Merideth, Melissa; Pulanic, Tajana Klepac et al. (2012) Female long-term survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: evaluation and management. Semin Hematol 49:83-93

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