graft-versus-host disease

noun

graft-ver·​sus-host disease ˈgraft-ˌvər-səs-ˈhōst- 

: a potentially fatal bodily condition that results when T cells from a tissue or organ transplant and especially a bone marrow transplant react immunologically against the recipient's antigens attacking cells and tissues

Examples of graft-versus-host disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kitchin was dealing with a complication known as graft-versus-host disease, where the donor cells begin attacking the recipient’s organs and tissues. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024

Amelia did end up with a bout of graft-versus-host disease; cyclophosphamide lowers the risk but not to zero. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

The drug has moved on to phase 3 for chronic graft-versus-host disease despite failing in trials for the acute form of the condition. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2024

After his stem cell transplant, the Geneva patient developed graft-versus-host disease and doctors treated him with a drug called ruxolitinib, which at the time was being investigated for this complication. —WIRED, 27 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

graft-versus-host disease

noun

: a bodily condition that results when T cells from a usually allogeneic tissue or organ transplant and especially a bone marrow transplant react immunologically against the recipient's antigens attacking cells and tissues, that affects especially the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and liver with symptoms including skin rash, fever, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, abdominal pain, and anorexia, and that may be fatal

—abbreviation GVHD

called also graft-versus-host reaction