DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Advances in prevention and treatment of hepatic disorders following hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Author(s): McDonald GB

Affiliation(s): Gastroenterology/Hepatology Section (D2-1900), Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA.

Publication date & source: 2006, Best Pract Res Clin Haematol., 19(2):341-52.

Publication type: Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural ; Review

Development of jaundice is an ominous prognostic sign, whether it occurs early or late in the months following hematopoietic cell transplant. In the first weeks after transplant, the dominant causes of liver injury are Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (toxic damage resulting from myeloablative conditioning regimens) and cholangitis lenta (cholestasis of sepsis). Later after transplant, cholestasis is more commonly caused by acute graft-vs.-host disease and drugs. Hepatic infections have become uncommon because of the use of prophylactic anti-fungal and anti-viral drugs. Treatment of severe liver dysfunction is often futile in this setting, but prevention of liver injury is feasible. Hepatic sinusoidal injury can be prevented by avoiding sinusoidal toxins as part of conditioning therapy in patients at high-risk. Cholestatic liver damage can be minimized by prophylactic use of ursodiol and by careful drug monitoring. Anti-microbial drugs will prevent most fungal liver infections and viral hepatitis caused by herpesviruses and hepatitis B virus.

Page last updated: 2007-02-12

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017