Abstract

Bone health disturbances occur commonly after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and avascular necrosis (AVN) being foremost. BMD loss is related to pre-transplant chemotherapy and radiation exposures, immunosuppressive therapy for graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), and results from deficiencies in growth or gonadal hormones, disturbances in calcium and vitamin D homeostasis, as well as osteoblast and osteoclast dysfunction. While the pathophysiology of AVN remains unclear, high-dose glucocorticoid exposure is the most frequent association. Different societal treatment guidelines for osteoporosis exist but focus mainly on menopausal-associated osteoporosis. HCT survivors comprise a distinct population with unique comorbidities, making general approaches to bone health management sometimes inappropriate. To address a core set of 16 frequently asked questions (FAQ) relevant to bone health in HCT, the American Society of Transplant and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Committee on Practice Guidelines convened a panel of experts in HCT, adult and pediatric endocrinology, orthopedics and oral medicine. Due to a lack of relevant prospective controlled clinical trials that specifically address bone health in HCT, the answers to the presented FAQs rely on evidence derived from retrospective HCT studies, results extrapolated from prospective studies in non-HCT settings, relevant societal guidelines, and expert panel opinion. Given heterogenous comorbidities and needs of individual HCT recipients, answers to FAQs in this article should be considered as general recommendations with good medical practice and judgment ultimately dictating care of individual patients. Readers are referred to the supplement for answers to additional FAQs that did not make the core set.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.07.001

View details for PubMedID 32653624