Graft-versus-host disease in a child with neuroblastoma after autologous stem cell transplantation

Abstract

In the pediatric population, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used to treat a wide variety of diseases, both malignant and nonmalignant. For many of these diseases, HSCT is a well-established treatment. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Graft versus host disease is a common complication of allo-SCT which is induced by donor T cell recognition of recipient alloantigens. The occurrence of autologous GVHD suggests that inappropriate recognition of host self-antigens may occur. GVHD in patients who received autologous HSCT is extremely rare compared to patients who received allogeneic HSCT. We present the case of a 4-year-old girl with metastatic neuroblastoma who spontaneously developed autologous GVHD after autologous HSCT.

Safe peripheral blood stem cell collection in patients less than 10 kg: A single‐center review

“…Autologous stem cell transplantation is the preferred graft source for certain pediatric and adult malignant disease states. It has the benefits of prevention or reduction of graft failure, graft vs host disease, and avoidance of ABO blood group mismatches compared to allogeneic graft sources 1,2 . Historically, bone marrow (BM) collection was the preferred source for autologous transplant, limiting collection to larger children who could tolerate the procedure 3 .…”

“…It has the benefits of prevention or reduction of graft failure, graft vs host disease, and avoidance of ABO blood group mismatches compared to allogeneic graft sources. 1,2 Historically, bone marrow (BM) collection was the preferred source for autologous transplant, limiting collection to larger children who could tolerate the procedure. 3 BM demonstrates higher associated morbidity related to the collection route than peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSCC), given the invasive nature of the collection procedure and delayed engraftment leading to increased risk of infectious disease complications compared to PBSCC.…”