Frontiers in Immunology (Jan 2021)

A Systematic Review of the Literature and Perspectives on the Role of Biomarkers in the Management of Malnutrition After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

  • Enrico Morello,
  • Milena Giovanna Guarinoni,
  • Francesco Arena,
  • Marco Andreoli,
  • Simona Bernardi,
  • Michele Malagola,
  • Alessandro Turra,
  • Nicola Polverelli,
  • Domenico Russo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.535890
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

Read online

Malnutrition is a common problem after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and could impair immune function. Immune dysfunction after allo-HSCT may be linked with infections, GVHD, and relapse and negatively affect the outcome. Aim of this review was to identify malnutrition biomarkers, potentially useful for immune-system monitoring, in the setting of allo-HSCT. After a systematic search, no satisfying biomarker was found, except for citrulline. Citrulline could be useful in monitoring gastrointestinal function after allo-HSCT and its role in the complex relationship with immune-system function ought to be better explored. A multi-omics approach, including biomarkers and PRO (patient reported outcomes) is, in our opinion, the optimal way to study the relationship between malnutrition and transplant outcomes.

Keywords