Late effects of chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease in minor salivary glands

Abstract

The results suggest that persistent xerostomia after cGVHD treatment is because of maintenance of lymphocytic infiltrate and consequent absence of MSG secretory unit recovery. This data may be useful to provide improved insight into the histopathology of this organ involvement.

Long-term oral complications of allogeneic haematopoietic SCT

“…It is generally recognised that xerostomia often does not correlate with objective clinical measurements of salivary hypofunction and, conversely, that a reduction in salivary flow may be clinically demonstrated in patients who do not otherwise complain of the sensation of a dry mouth, 20 a finding that was also observed in our study.…”

Major salivary gland damage in allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation assessed by scintigraphic methods

“…14 The procedure consisted of a 5 min salivary expectoration into a sterile previously weighted glass bottle. Patients were asked not to swallow during the collection period.…”

“…3 Clinical features of xerostomia Clinical signs of xerostomia subjectively assessed via (i) absence of the sublingual salivary pooling, (ii) adherence of a wooden tongue depressor to the buccal mucosa, (iii) dry lips and (iv) tongue snap. 14 Major salivary glands scintigraphy Major salivary gland scintigraphy was performed in order to assess: (1) major salivary glands uptake and salivary clearance using 99m Tc-pertechenate scintigraphy, and (2) inflammatory activity using 67 Ga scan. Scintigraphic studies were performed prior to HPCT and then Days þ 30, þ 60 and þ 100 days after transplant.…”

The impact of morphological and immunohistological changes in minor salivary glands on the health of the oral cavity in HSCT patients

“…3,4 Both prior HSCT-conditioning regimens and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) can cause salivary gland damage and inflammation, leading to xerostomia. 5 cGVHD is the major late complication of HSCT. It is mediated by T lymphocytes targeting various organs and tissues, including the oral mucosa and salivary glands, leading to salivary hypofunction and oral damage.…”

“…[7][8][9] The typical histological findings of cGVHD in salivary glands are periductal and diffuse lobular lymphocyte infiltrate (CD8 þ over CD4 þ ), atrophy or destruction of acini, and fibrosis. 5,[10][11][12][13][14][15] Despite the advent of new therapies and management of cGVHD, minimal changes in this scenario have been observed, mainly due to an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. 1,16 Knowing the most important histological findings for the diagnosis of minor salivary gland (MSG) cGVHD and its possible influence on overall patient health and understanding the mononuclear subset participation in salivary glands after HSCT can contribute to better management of those patients.…”