Vitiligo after hematopoietic cell transplantation: six cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of vitiligo after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT).

Methods: The development of vitiligo was analyzed among 421 patients who underwent AHCT in Ibni Sina Hospital (University of Ankara) between 1988 and 2004.

Results: Among 421 patients, we describe 6 with generalized vitiligo occurring after AHCT for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Five of them had severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Vitiligo was accompanied by alopecia areata and acquired ichthyosis in 2 patients with GVHD.

Conclusion: Melanocyte destruction caused by the autoimmune reactions triggered by chronic GVHD as well as a genetic predisposition might have played a role in the development of vitiligo in our patients. These data support the hypothesis that vitiligo is an autoimmune entity.