A case report and literature review of chronic graft-versus-host disease manifesting as polymyositis

Int J Hematol. 2015 Jul;102(1):144-6. doi: 10.1007/s12185-015-1768-2. Epub 2015 Mar 3.

Abstract

Polymyositis (PM) is a rare but documented manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) post allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We present the case of a 70-year-old male patient who developed severe cGvHD-related PM 3 years after undergoing allogeneic HCT for acute myeloid leukemia. The patient responded to steroids and was maintained long-term with hydroxychloroquine as a steroid-sparing agent. We review the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of PM as cGvHD as well as the differentiation of this manifestation from other forms of PM.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Male
  • Polymyositis / diagnosis*
  • Transplantation, Homologous