• Koshi Akahane, Atsushi Watanabe, Shinpei Somazu, Daisuke Harama, Tamao Shinohara, Shin Kasai, Hiroko Oshiro, Kumiko Goi, Norio Hasuda, Chihiro Ozawa, Kanji Sugita, and Takeshi Inukai.
• Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan,Department of Pharmacy, University of Yamanashi Hospital, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Mar 18; 101 (11).

RationaleThe gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a common target organ of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, and GI tract GVHD is often resistant to standard treatments such as corticosteroids. Moreover, longterm use of systemic corticosteroids sometimes induces adverse events such as infection. Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) is a potent, topically active corticosteroid, which is metabolized to an active derivative in the intestinal mucosa. Oral BDP therapy is reportedly effective against GI tract GVHD in adult HSCT patients, but its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients remain undefined. Here, we report three pediatric and young adult cases who were treated with oral BDP.Patient ConcernsThree (6-, 7-, and 18-year-old) patients developed stage 2 to 4 lower GI tract GVHD, which was resistant to standard immunosuppressive therapies.DiagnosisLower GI tract GVHD in these patients was histopathologically proven by endoscopic biopsy.InterventionsOral administration of enteric-coated capsules of BDP (3-8 mg/day) was started for the treatment of lower GI tract GVHD.OutcomesWith the introduction of oral BDP therapy, their GI tract symptoms promptly resolved (abdominal pain, within 3-7 days; diarrhea, within 2-3 weeks). Subsequently, systemic immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil were successfully tapered off. During oral BDP therapy, although cytomegalovirus antigenemia and Acinetobacter Iwoffii sepsis developed in 2 cases, both were curable with conventional treatments. In a young adult case, concomitant BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis resolved after oral BDP was introduced and systemic immunosuppressive agents were reduced. Transient growth restriction was observed in a pediatric case who was treated with oral BDP for approximately 300days.LessonsOur experiences suggest that oral BDP therapy is an effective approach for GI tract GVHD that is resistant to standard immunosuppressive therapies. Of clinical importance, our case suggests the possibility that oral BDP therapy may improve the immunosuppressive condition in GI tract GVHD patients by contributing to the reduction of systemic immunosuppressive medications as a result of prompt improvement of GI tract GVHD symptoms.Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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