Suboptimal vitamin D levels are common in pediatric patients scheduled to receive HSCT and are associated with lower overall 1-year survival. Further study is warranted to delineate the mechanisms underlying the role of vitamin D in successful HSCT.

Background:The therapy of disseminated granuloma annulare has often limited success. Treatment of granuloma annulare with fumaric acid esters (FAE) has recently been reported to be effective in 2 patients. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a systemic therapy with FAE in consecutive patients with disseminated granuloma annulare. Methods:Eight patients with disseminated granuloma annulare were treated with FAE in tablet form according to the standard therapy regimen used in psoriasis. The colour and the elevation of the skin lesions were assessed by a visual analogue scale before and after therapy. Results:Systemic therapy with FAE induced a significant clinical improvement in elevation and colour of skin lesions, with remission in 3 and partial remission in 4 patients. One patient remained unchanged. Side-effects associated with the therapy were seen in 6 patients. Conclusions: Systemic therapy with FAE can be effective in patients suffering from disseminated forms of granuloma annulare, but side-effects of FAE have to be taken into consideration.

Abatacept may provide significant clinical benefit in the management of AIHA after HSCT.

ly explained by donor hematopoietic cell gene expression. Gene expression of Ang2 and PlGF are lower in SR aGVHD, suggesting the plasma elevations in these factors might be predominantly host-derived. Ang2 likely reflects host endothelial tissue damage, while the PlGF response to aGVHD requires further investigation. The elevation in several damage-associated factors in the plasma and transcriptome in a healthy HCT recipient may reflect normal adaptation of donor cells to a new host. Mechanistic studies aimed at manipulating the dysregulated system of AF and downstream signaling pathways are indicated, with the goal of ameliorating severe aGVHD and facilitating tissue repair, without excess immunosuppression.