Abstract:

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a strategy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Despite the tremendous progress in this field in recent years, there is still a high risk of post-transplant mortality. In addition to potential malignancy recurrence, the main factor contributing to this high mortality is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Current studies demonstrate that intestinal microbiota plays an important role in maintaining intestinal and systemic immune function, and that intestinal microbiota diversity and its metabolites can directly or indirectly influence the development of GVHD. GVHD can also damage intestinal stem cells subsequently causing intestinal flora dysbiosis. This article provides an overview of our current research on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and GVHD after allo-HSCT and summarizes current treatments for GVHD based on intestinal microbiota.

Key words: graft-versus-host disease, intestinal microbiota, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, treatment