PURPOSE: Organ recipients are at a high risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. We report the incidence, clinical presentation, pathologic findings, treatment, and outcome for 24 cases of PTLD observed at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four (1.7%) of 1,385 organ transplant recipients developed PTLDs. Dosages of immunosuppressive drugs were reduced in 19 patients. Treatment consisted of anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies (12 patients), and/or chemotherapy (eight patients), or surgery (two patients). RESULTS: The median time between grafting and the onset of PTLD was 210 days. Tumors were classified as monomorphic and polymorphic in nine and 15 cases, respectively. Three of 24 cases were of T-cell origin. Genotypic studies confirmed the monoclonality of the tumors in 11 cases among 14 PTLDs tested. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was associated with 70% of B-cell PTLDs tested. The overall survival duration was 5 months. Ten patients are alive and disease-free with a median follow-up time of 37 months; most were treated with anti-B-cell antibodies. Two other patients died in complete remission of unrelated causes at 33 and 38 months. CONCLUSION: Anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody therapy seems to be effective in PTLD, even in monoclonal B-cell forms, but other approaches will be necessary to improve survival further.
PURPOSE: Organ recipients are at a high risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. We report the incidence, clinical presentation, pathologic findings, treatment, and outcome for 24 cases of PTLD observed at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four (1.7%) of 1,385 organ transplant recipients developed PTLDs. Dosages of immunosuppressive drugs were reduced in 19 patients. Treatment consisted of anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies (12 patients), and/or chemotherapy (eight patients), or surgery (two patients). RESULTS: The median time between grafting and the onset of PTLD was 210 days. Tumors were classified as monomorphic and polymorphic in nine and 15 cases, respectively. Three of 24 cases were of T-cell origin. Genotypic studies confirmed the monoclonality of the tumors in 11 cases among 14 PTLDs tested. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was associated with 70% of B-cell PTLDs tested. The overall survival duration was 5 months. Ten patients are alive and disease-free with a median follow-up time of 37 months; most were treated with anti-B-cell antibodies. Two other patients died in complete remission of unrelated causes at 33 and 38 months. CONCLUSION: Anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody therapy seems to be effective in PTLD, even in monoclonal B-cell forms, but other approaches will be necessary to improve survival further.
Authors: Jung Hyun Kwon; Joon Chang Song; Sang Hun Lee; So Young Lee; Chul Woo Yang; Yong Soo Kim; Byung Kee Bang Journal: Korean J Intern Med Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 2.884
Authors: Melissa A Pasquale; Debbie Weppler; Jon Smith; Michael Icardi; Alexandra Amador; Monica Gonzalez; Tomoaki Kato; Andreas Tzakis; Phillip Ruiz Journal: Pathol Oncol Res Date: 2002 Impact factor: 3.201