About Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease
What is graft-versus-host disease?
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication that may affect people who have had a stem cell transplant using cells from a donor. This type of procedure is called an allogeneic (AL-oh-geh-NAY-ik) stem cell transplant. During an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a patient’s cells are replaced with donor cells. (Figure A)
GVHD occurs when donor cells (called the graft) attack the organs and tissues of the patient who received them (or the host). That’s why the condition is known as graft-versus-host disease. (Figure B)
There are two main types of GVHD—acute and chronic
Acute GVHD usually develops within the first 3 months after transplant. Symptoms are typically limited to the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
Many people who develop chronic GVHD have had acute GVHD in the past.
Chronic GVHD tends to develop more slowly than acute GVHD. In most cases, symptoms appear sometime in the first year after transplant. Chronic GVHD can also affect many more organs and tissues than acute GVHD, so it is important to keep watching for new signs and symptoms. (See below.)
How is chronic GVHD diagnosed?
Because chronic GVHD symptoms can be confused with other health conditions, your Healthcare Professional may do a thorough physical exam as well as various tests to diagnose it. This helps them make sure your symptoms are caused by chronic GVHD and not something else.
Signs and symptoms of chronic GVHD
Chronic GVHD can affect one or more of these areas of the body.
“Don’t put the symptoms off. Call your oncologist, schedule an appointment, ask about GVHD as early as possible.”
- Roy, a patient with cGVHD
Eyes
Dry eyes | Irritation that won’t go away | Blurred vision | Teary eyes
Lungs
Cough that doesn’t go away | Shortness of breath
Skin, Hair, and Nails
Skin texture changes (thickening) | Nail changes | Rash | Unusual hair loss or thinning | Itchy skin
Genitals
Irritation or dryness | Rash | Painful intercourse
Mouth
Painless white lines on tongue or inner cheeks | Sores or irritation | Trouble opening your mouth | Sensitivity to spice | Dry mouth and lips
Nervous System
Weakness, tingling, numbness in legs or feet
Digestive System
Nausea or vomiting | Diarrhea | Belly pain or cramping | Liver symptoms, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin
Joints and Muscles
Arthritis-like symptoms (pain and stiffness) | Muscle aches or pain, cramps, or weakness
Eyes
Dry eyes | Irritation that won’t go away | Blurred vision | Teary eyes
Lungs
Cough that doesn’t go away | Shortness of breath
Skin, Hair, and Nails
Skin texture changes (thickening) | Nail changes | Rash | Unusual hair loss or thinning | Itchy skin
Genitals
Irritation or dryness | Rash | Painful intercourse
Mouth
Painless white lines on tongue or inner cheeks | Sores or irritation | Trouble opening your mouth | Sensitivity to spice | Dry mouth and lips
Nervous System
Weakness, tingling, numbness in legs or feet
Digestive System
Nausea or vomiting | Diarrhea | Belly pain or cramping | Liver symptoms, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin
Joints and Muscles
Arthritis-like symptoms (pain and stiffness) | Muscle aches or pain, cramps, or weakness
Caregivers Play an Important Role
Caregivers can help monitor for any new or changing symptoms of GVHD—especially in areas like the back or the eyes, where patients may not notice their symptoms right away. These symptoms are important to talk about together and mention to your healthcare team since help may be available.
Family, friends, and other caregivers are essential for helping patients during transplant recovery and for supporting each other.
“Some days are better and some days are worse and it’s hard to know when to step into ‘situation-controlling mode’ and when to back off.”
-Kris, Roy's caregiver
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Learn MoreINDICATIONS AND USAGE
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Jakafi is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with polycythemia vera who have already taken a medicine called hydroxyurea and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it.
Jakafi is used to treat adults with certain types of myelofibrosis.
Jakafi is used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken corticosteroids and they did not work well enough.
Jakafi is also used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with chronic GVHD who have taken one or two types of treatments and they did not work well enough.
Important Safety Information
Jakafi can cause serious side effects, including:
Low blood counts: Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking Jakafi and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start Jakafi and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of Jakafi or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or a fever.
Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, nausea, vomiting, aches, weakness, fever, painful skin rash or blisters.
Cancer: Some people have had certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions during treatment with Jakafi.
Increases in cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels about every 8 to 12 weeks after you start taking Jakafi, and as needed.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using another JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis: Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Jakafi, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back, severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw, pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, feeling lightheaded, weakness in one part or on one side of your body, slurred speech.
Increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened in people taking another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and may be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with Jakafi, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers: People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. People who smoke or who smoked in the past have an added risk of new cancers.
The most common side effects of Jakafi include: for certain types of myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) – low platelet or red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea; for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling; and for chronic GVHD – low red blood cell or platelet counts and infections including viral infections.
These are not all the possible side effects of Jakafi. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Before taking Jakafi, tell your healthcare provider about: all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking and all your medical conditions, including if you have an infection, have or had low white or red blood cell counts, have or had tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB, had shingles (herpes zoster), have or had hepatitis B, have or had liver or kidney problems, are on dialysis, have high cholesterol or triglycerides, had cancer, are a current or past smoker, had a blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems or stroke, or have any other medical condition. Take Jakafi exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Do not change your dose or stop taking Jakafi without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Women should not take Jakafi while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Jakafi and for 2 weeks after the final dose.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with Jakafi.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects to Incyte Medical Information at 1-855-463-3463.
