Orchestrating oral chronic graft-versus-host disease

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) provides curative therapy for hematological malignancies, but chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (cGVHD) in up to 50% of patients limits its wider use. This multi-organ disorder frequently affects the oral cavity (45-85% of cGVHD patients). Despite prevalent oral complications, the mechanism remains undefined, contributing to a lack of effective therapy, significant morbidity, compromised nutrition, and reduced quality of life. This study analyzed metabolite, and immune mediator shifts in allo-HSCT patients to mechanistically unravel cGVHD pathogenesis.