Research ArticleIssues in Dental Hygiene Practice

A Review of Oral Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Considerations for dental hygiene practice

Lisa Bennett Johnson, Uhlee Oh, Marilynn Rothen, Herve Y. Sroussi, David R Dean, C. Michele Lloid, Katelyn Cintron, Stephanie J. Lee, Corey S. Cutler and Nathaniel S. Treister
American Dental Hygienists' Association April 2022, 96 (2) 6-17;

Abstract

Purpose: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), also known as stem cell or bone marrow transplantation, is a cellular therapy performed to treat a variety of malignant and non-malignant hematologic diseases. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a common immune-mediated complication of alloHCT that can affect various organs of the body, with approximately 70% of affected patients presenting with oral features. Oral manifestations of cGVHD include lichenoid lesions (diagnostic feature), erythema, pseudomembranous ulcerations, superficial mucoceles, salivary gland hypofunction, xerostomia, orofacial sclerosis, trismus, and increased sensitivity to spicy, acidic, hard, and crunchy foods. Patients with oral cGVHD are also at increased risk for developing secondary conditions, such as oral candidiasis, dental caries, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Given these complex oral health challenges, the dental hygienist can play a key role in optimizing patients’ oral health care from pre-stem cell transplantation through survivorship. Optimal care includes a comprehensive health history assessment, thorough extraoral and intraoral examinations, detailed hard and soft tissue evaluations, oral hygiene, and dietary assessment, along with the delivery of patient-centered, oral health instruction and preventive therapies. Appropriate monitoring and management of oral cGVHD require a collaborative care approach between dental, oncology, and oral medicine providers. As part of a multidisciplinary care team, dental hygienists play an important role in the management of patients with oral cGVHD. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of alloHCT and its oral health considerations, with a focus on oral cGVHD etiology, signs and symptoms, and management considerations for the dental team.

Introduction

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), also referred to as “stem cell” or “bone marrow” transplantation, is a potentially life-saving procedure for individuals with malignant hematological (blood-related) diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as non-malignant conditions, such as bone marrow failure syndromes and hemoglobinopathies.1 According to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research,2 over 9,000 alloHCT procedures were performed in the United States in 2018, and this number has been steadily increasing.3 Recent developments in technology and supportive care practices have led to improved post-transplant survivorship.4-6 While this progress is highly encouraging, survivors are at risk for a range of post-transplant complications, including chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a relatively common and potentially serious condition affecting a range of organs, frequently including the oral cavity.7,8 Appropriate screening and management of post-transplant complications require a multidisciplinary team approach, in which oral health care providers play a central role.9 This review provides an overview of alloHCT with a focus on oral cGVHD and the role of the dental hygienist in the management of this complex condition.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (alloHCT)

AlloHCT is a non-surgical therapeutic procedure, similar to a blood transfusion, in which a patient receives healthy hematopoietic cells from a related or unrelated donor via a central intravenous catheter.10,11 Prior to transplantation, the patient undergoes a conditioning regimen, during which residual cancer cells (in the case of hematologic malignancies) are targeted for destruction and the patient is immunosuppressed via chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and/or immunotherapeutic agents.10,11 The conditioning regimen is essential for preventing graft rejection and for allowing the donor stem cells to establish hematopoiesis.10,11 The donor cells ultimately produce a new functional bone marrow capable of producing healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.10,11 During this time, the patient’s laboratory values are closely monitored, particularly the complete blood count (CBC) with differential. The patient is said to be “engrafted” when the absolute neutrophil count is greater than 500 cells/uL on three consecutive days, typically by day +30 after alloHCT.10,11 Following engraftment, patients continue to be monitored closely due to risk for disease relapse, infection, and other transplant-associated complications, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).10 To reduce the risk of developing GVHD, all patients receive GVHD prophylaxis post-alloHCT, which typically consists of a short course of methotrexate and a longer course of a calcineurin inhibitor.12

There are many oral health considerations to assess immediately before, during, and following alloHCT. A comprehensive oral evaluation should be completed prior to transplantation and a dental clearance should be obtained as the recommended standard of care to reduce the risk of bacteremia and morbidity post-alloHCT.13 At this time, any urgent dental needs should be addressed, including any extractions, periodontal therapy, and the elimination of local trauma. Ideally this treatment should be completed two weeks before transplantation to allow sufficient post-operative healing of oral tissues.13 During and after alloHCT, patients have lower white blood cell counts, making them more susceptible to oral herpetic and opportunistic infections caused by Candida. Thus, patients who are seropositive for herpes simplex virus should receive acyclovir prophylaxis to prevent viral reactivation, and most medical centers use antifungal prophylaxis to prevent oral candidiasis.13 Furthermore, the conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis regimens are associated with the risk of oral mucositis, a painful ulcerative condition that can limit one’s ability to eat, drink and speak.14 While mild oral mucosal pain may be addressed with topical anesthetics and analgesics, more debilitating pain may necessitate opioids, and total parenteral nutrition may be indicated if oral intake is severely limited.13,15

The overall one- and five-year survival rates post-alloHCT are approximately 70% and 55%, respectively.16 The leading causes of mortality are cancer recurrence and complications related to GVHD, including deaths due to infection and immunosuppressive treatment.6 Consequently, long-term follow-up care is critical for reducing the risk of complications related to the transplant.9,17

Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (cGVHD)

Graft-Versus-Host-Disease is a complex immune-mediated disease resulting from an incompatibility between the donor (graft) and patient (host) cells. It is classified as either acute (aGVHD) or chronic (cGVHD) based on differentiating clinical and pathologic features. Acute GVHD typically occurs within the first 100 days following alloHCT and cGVHD usually develops after day +100; however, these time points are somewhat arbitrary.10 Acute GVHD most commonly affects the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.18 Chronic GVHD most commonly affects the skin, oral cavity, eyes, GI tract, liver, and lungs.9,19 Acute and chronic features may overlap, yet cGVHD has distinct characteristics affecting the oral cavity. Signs and symptoms of cGVHD are similar to that of many autoimmune conditions and can profoundly affect systemic health and one’s overall quality of life.9,20 Table I provides a summary of chronic GVHD clinical features.

View this table:
Table I.

Clinical features of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Chronic GVHD affects up to 50% of alloHCT recipients and often follows aGVHD, but it can also develop de novo (without prior aGVHD) and may present upon tapering of GVHD prophylaxis (e.g., calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus).18 Additional risk factors include the use of peripheral blood stem cells (versus bone marrow) as the graft source, unrelated donors (versus related donors, such as siblings), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatching between donor and recipient, female donor to male recipient, older donor age, and history of donor lymphocyte infusion (a therapy used in patients with disease relapse).19,21 While the incidence of cGVHD is lower in pediatric alloHCT recipients (<18 years old), clinical manifestations observed in this population are similar to those seen in adults.22

The pathophysiology of cGVHD is highly complex and involves multiple biological processes, including immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis.23 Histocompatibility differences between donor and recipient HLA gene products cause the donor T-cells to recognize the host HLA antigens as “foreign,” which triggers an attack on the healthy host tissues.24-26 This inflammatory response can impact any organ system in the body and cause tissue fibrosis, varying degrees of tissue damage, and functional impairment.27

Oral Manifestations of cGVHD

Following the skin, the oral cavity is the second most common site affected by cGVHD, with up to 70% of patients presenting with oral features.28,29 Oral cGVHD is typically diagnosed by an oncologist or oral medicine specialist based on a thorough health history assessment and clinical examination; in some cases, a biopsy may be required to support the diagnosis or rule out other conditions. Oral cGVHD can affect the lips, oral mucosa, and salivary glands. Clinical features may include lichen planus-like manifestations, salivary gland hypofunction, and orofacial fibrosis.30,31 Oral cGVHD can cause mucosal pain and sensitivity, xerostomia, and indirect effects, such as altered diet, compromised ability to maintain good oral hygiene, and, thus, increased risk for dental caries and gingival disease.13

Oral mucosal lesions

Mucosal lesions are characterized by three main signs: 1) lichenoid inflammation, 2) erythema, and 3) ulcerations.20 Lichenoid inflammation appears as white reticular streaks or lacey lines that resemble Wickham striae observed in oral lichen planus and are considered to be a diagnostic feature of oral cGVHD7,30 (Figure 1a). While these lesions may occur anywhere in the oral cavity, they most frequently appear on the buccal mucosa and tongue.31,32 Lichenoid lesions may be accompanied by varying degrees of erythema and ulceration, which are features often associated with more severe symptoms (Figure 1b-c). Ulcerations represent a breakdown in oral mucosa and can be particularly symptomatic, limiting functions such as oral nutrition, speech, and oral hygiene maintenance.33

Figure 1a.
Figure 1a.

Lichenoid inflammation

Figure 1b.
Figure 1b.

Lichenoid erythema

Figure 1c.
Figure 1c.

Lichenoid ulceration and erythema

Pain at rest may be reported, however the hallmark symptom of mucosal inflammation is sensitivity to spicy, acidic, hard, and crunchy foods.31,34 Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate and strong flavoring agents (e.g., mint and cinnamon) may also be intolerable.35 While symptoms are generally worse with more severe clinical features, it is possible for a patient with relatively mild lichenoid changes to experience symptoms similar to or worse than those of a patient presenting with erythema and ulcerations.31

Superficial recurrent mucoceles are also common in patients with oral cGVHD. They appear as transient, saliva-filled, raised lesions, secondary to inflammation of minor salivary glands, and are most commonly located on the hard and soft palate or labial mucosa30 (Figure 1d). While these lesions are generally asymptomatic, they may be a nuisance or a source of concern to the patient. Treatment other than recognition and patient reassurance is rarely indicated.36

Figure 1d.
Figure 1d.

Oral mucoceles

Furthermore, patients with oral cGVHD are at increased risk for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma37,38 (Figure 2a). This may be due to prolonged mucosal inflammation, immune dysregulation, and iatrogenic immunosuppression.39 Oral squamous cell carcinoma may arise from areas of oral leukoplakia, which generally presents distinctly from the white reticular features of mucosal cGVHD (Figure 2b).

Figure 2a.
Figure 2a.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

Figure 2b.
Figure 2b.

Oral leukoplakia

Salivary gland dysfunction

Salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia associated with cGVHD mimic the clinical features and symptoms of Sjögren syndrome. Hyposalivation impairs the protective activity of saliva, elevating the risk for dental caries and accelerating the progression of white spot lesions, and in some cases, to rampant dental caries and subsequent tooth loss31,40,41(Figure 2c). Hyposalivation also reduces oral lubrication, which can lead to difficulty speaking, eating, and dysphagia.42 Furthermore, the reduction of salivary proteins (e.g., histatin, lactoferrin, calprotectin) can diminish antimicrobial and antifungal activity, thereby increasing the risk for recurrent oral candidiasis.30,31,43 Oral candidiasis most frequently presents as white pseudomembranous patches but may also present with diffuse erythema (Figure 2d).

Figure 2c.
Figure 2c.

Hyposalivation and dental caries

Figure 2d.
Figure 2d.

Oral candidiasis

Orofacial sclerosis

Although relatively infrequent, sclerosis of the perioral skin and intraoral mucosal tissues may occur and can be associated with significant morbidity.30,44 Sclerodermatous cutaneous disease, a chronic hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues, can extend to the facial and perioral tissues, leading to impaired mouth opening and trismus.45 In some cases, involvement of muscles can lead to transient painful myospasms, which can also contribute to trismus. These conditions can compromise the patient’s ability to perform oral self-care and can complicate the provision of professional dental care.

Management of Oral cGVHD

Many patients with oral cGVHD will be managed with systemic medications due to cGVHD activity in other organ systems.36 Systemic therapy may or may not adequately control oral cGVHD, as an oral response is highly variable. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for signs and symptoms of oral cGVHD to persist even after systemic therapy resolves cGVHD manifestations in other organ systems.30,36

Dental hygienists, as part of a multidisciplinary care team, play an important role in the management of patients with oral cGVHD.46 Patients will typically return to routine dental care approximately one year following alloHCT.9 At that time, the assessments should include a thorough review of medical history and medications, as well as a comprehensive extraoral and intraoral examination to identify clinical signs and symptoms of systemic and oral diseases.

The extraoral examination includes a visual inspection of the skin and lips, careful palpation of the submandibular and cervical lymph nodes, and assessment of temporomandibular mandibular joint (TMJ) function and mouth opening. The intraoral examination thoroughly evaluates all mucosal tissues, including the soft palate and tonsillar pillars. It can be challenging to distinguish between suspicious abnormalities and manifestations associated with oral cGVHD, but certain features that should be of particular concern as part of the oral cancer screening include atypical white plaques, focal masses, tissue induration, and non-healing and necrotic ulcers.31 Obtaining periodic intraoral photographs of mucosal findings is helpful for documentation and assessment of changes over time; suspicious abnormalities should be referred for biopsy.31 Risk factors for oral cancer, such as tobacco use, and excessive alcohol intake should be assessed, and patients should be counseled accordingly.47 The dental hygiene care plan should address all symptoms of oral cGVHD, with a focus on preventing sequelae of disease, such as hyposalivation-induced dental caries and oral candidiasis. Figure 3 outlines the process of care for a patient with a history of alloHCT, and the oral health considerations and management recommendations are summarized in Table II.

Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.

Oral cGVHD Process of Care

View this table:
Table II.

Management of oral health in patients with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Oral mucosal lesion management

When caring for patients with oral cGVHD, the overall goal is to manage symptoms rather than explicitly resolve or heal lesions.31 Oral mucosal symptoms are managed with high potency topical corticosteroids, generally in the form of a solution or gel.34 Topical tacrolimus, a non-steroid immunomodulatory agent, can also help to manage symptoms and is commercially available in the form of a 0.1% ointment or can be compounded as a solution.48 Solutions are swished for 4-6 minutes then expectorated, and are beneficial for treating extensively involved and hard-to-reach areas.48 In addition to solution-based therapy, gels may be applied focally to symptomatic lesions where the disease is more localized or more intensive treatment is needed. Gels can be delivered via gauze or an occlusive custom tray (e.g., for gingival or palatal involvement) from one to four or more times daily, depending on the degree of symptoms and level of response.31 With improvement or resolution of symptoms, therapy is often tapered or discontinued but can be resumed or intensified if symptoms flare. Bland oral rinses (e.g., 0.9% saline) or “magic mouthwashes” containing a topical anesthetic and antihistamine can also be prescribed to help reduce oral mucosal pain.15 Topical tacrolimus is preferred when treating lesions of the lip vermillion due to the potential for irreversible atrophy and thinning of the tissue with topical steroid therapy.31 Topical anesthetics should be considered for in-office use during dental visits for pain control, as needed. In addition, lip care should include adequate moisturization and sun protection (i.e., SPF 30+) given the increased risk for skin cancers post-transplant.36

Secondary candidiasis is a common complication associated with the use of topical steroids in the oral cavity.49 Risk factors include systemic immunosuppression, topical corticosteroid therapy, and salivary gland dysfunction.30 Diagnosis is usually based on clinical examination, although features may be difficult to distinguish from cGVHD.49 Fluconazole is the most common systemic antifungal medication used to treat or prevent oral candidiasis but must be used with caution in patients on systemic therapy due to potential drug interactions.50 Clotrimazole troches and nystatin suspensions are topical antifungal medications that should be used with caution due to their sugar content and cariogenic properties.15 Sugar-free versions of these drugs are available and can be requested when prescribed.

Angular cheilitis may also be present, for which antifungal creams or ointments can be prescribed.28,31 Patients wearing removable dentures and appliances should be advised to remove, soak, and brush their dentures/appliances daily with a commercial cleanser and denture brush to reduce their risk of oral yeast infections. Individuals with fungal infections should treat the denture/appliance with an anti-fungal remedy, such as chlorhexidine, nystatin, or dilute bleach solution (1:10) to avoid reinfection from the oral prosthesis. Those who experience recurrent infections may benefit from long-term antifungal prophylaxis.15

Salivary gland hypofunction and dental caries risk considerations

The symptoms of salivary hypofunction may be managed with over-the-counter products for dry mouth in the form of rinses, gels, sprays, and saliva substitutes.48 In addition to ensuring good hydration with frequent water intake, the use of sugar-free gum and lozenges can stimulate salivary flow, and bland rinses (e.g., 0.9% normal saline or 0.5% sodium bicarbonate rinses) may ease the discomfort of xerostomia.36 Salivary flow can also be improved with prescription sialagogue medications (e.g., pilocarpine and cevimeline).51-53 Prior to prescribing sialagogue therapy, clinicians should ensure that there are no medical contraindications (e.g., narrow angle glaucoma) and possible side effects (e.g., sweating) should be reviewed with the patient and their oncology care provider(s).

When patients with alloHCT return to the dental office for routine follow-up care, their caries risk assessment and dental hygiene care plan should be updated based on their current health status. The three primary conditions associated with oral cGVHD (oral mucosal lesions, salivary hypofunction, and orofacial sclerosis) compound the risk for dental caries, potentially accelerating disease progression. Oral mucosal pain and sensitivity may lead to difficulty in performing oral self-care, as well as a shift to a softer diet that requires less mastication and often contains higher levels of fermentable carbohydrates.54,55 Additionally, reduced quantity and quality of saliva inhibit oral cleansing ability, antimicrobial activity, neutralization of acids, and tooth remineralization.56 Patients with limited mouth opening may also encounter challenges with performing oral self-care, and patients experiencing other comorbidities may suffer from disease management fatigue, contributing to suboptimal homecare.52

Dental hygienists can work with patients to help tailor their oral self-care routines. Brushing may be best tolerated with a non-mint flavored, fluoridated toothpaste and an extra soft bristle toothbrush.36 Interdental cleaning can be made easier for patients with restricted mouth opening via the use of floss holders, floss picks, interdental brushes, and oral irrigators. For those presenting with moderate to extreme dental caries risk, a 5,000 ppm (1.1%) sodium fluoride toothpaste should be prescribed for twice-daily use.57,58 Patients presenting with high caries risk may also benefit from the application of prescription-strength fluoride gel via trays for 5 minutes daily. In-office fluoride varnish application every 3 or 6 months is recommended for patients with high or moderate risk for dental caries, respectively.57,59 Silver diamine fluoride is another caries-preventive and caries-arresting agent that can be applied in a site-specific manner to slow or arrest the dental caries process.60

A dietary assessment should also be performed, and patients should receive nutritional counseling to help minimize their caries risk. Patients should be advised to avoid cariogenic foods and drinks, including sugar-sweetened beverages, gums, and lozenges while increasing their intake of non-cariogenic and cariostatic foods.61,62 The importance of twice-yearly or more frequent dental examinations and dental hygiene recare visits must be emphasized in coordination with the patient’s primary medical team.31 Patients will benefit from individualized and detailed written instructions for all oral self-care recommendations.

Orofacial sclerosis considerations

Sclerodermatous oral cGVHD may be managed with long-term physical therapy to improve or at least maintain stable mouth opening.31,63,64 Dental hygiene care appointments may be challenging for the patient and provider alike due to the patient’s limited opening. Adaptations may be necessary to increase patient comfort and acceptance of care. These may include the use of bite blocks, shorter appointments, and frequent breaks during longer appointments.64 When mouth opening is limited, dental hygienists may need to assist patients in identifying oral physiotherapy aids that improve access and effectiveness (e.g., an oral irrigator).65

Conclusion

Patients with oral cGVHD present with unique challenges that require special attention during dental hygiene care. While this is a relatively small subset of the general population, the number of people surviving long-term after alloHCT is growing and is expected to continue to increase over time. Although major clinical features of oral cGVHD are not directly treated in the dental setting, the dental hygienist plays a central role in detecting, assessing, documenting, and educating the patient about the disease’s signs and symptoms. Dental hygienists must take the time to inform patients with oral cGVHD of their elevated dental caries and oral cancer risks while educating them on risk reduction. Dental hygienists must counsel patients on the importance of regular oral mucosal exams and adherence to the recommended continuing care interval to monitor for signs and symptoms of disease. The dental team should work collaboratively with the patient’s medical team to optimize care coordination and maximize oral health outcomes for these unique and complex patients.

Footnotes

  • This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area, Client level: Oral health care (clinical guidelines).

  • Disclosure

    This work was supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research grant number R01 DE028336-01A1. Funders did not have any role in data collection, interpretation, and reporting. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

  • Received April 2, 2021.
  • Accepted December 23, 2021.

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A Review of Oral Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Considerations for dental hygiene practice
Lisa Bennett Johnson, Uhlee Oh, Marilynn Rothen, Herve Y. Sroussi, David R Dean, C. Michele Lloid, Katelyn Cintron, Stephanie J. Lee, Corey S. Cutler, Nathaniel S. Treister
American Dental Hygienists' Association Apr 2022, 96 (2) 6-17;
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