Long-term survival after post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in children

The IPTA Nashville consensus conference on post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after solid organ transplantation in children: IV-consensus guidelines for the management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders in children and adolescents

The International Pediatric Transplant Association convened an expert consensus conference to assess current evidence and develop recommendations for various aspects of care relating to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) after pediatric solid organ transplantation. This report addresses the outcomes of deliberations by the PTLD Management Working Group. A strong recommendation was made for reduction in immunosuppression as the first step in management. Similarly, strong recommendations were made for the use of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) as was the case for chemotherapy in selected scenarios. In some scenarios, there is uncoupling of the strength of the recommendations from the available evidence in situations where such evidence is lacking but collective clinical experiences drive decision-making. Of note, there are no large, randomized phase III trials of any treatment for PTLD in the pediatric age group. Current gaps and future research priorities are highlighted.

Severe post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after living donor liver transplantation

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-known complication after transplantation. A living donor liver transplantation was performed on a 31-year-old man for fulminant hepatitis. He again developed liver dysfunction after 7 months. He was diagnosed as having acute cellular rejection and the steroid pulse therapy introduced resulted in little improvement. He gradually developed a high fever and right axillary lymphadenopathy appeared. Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed revealing small lung nodules and axillary lymphadenopathy. Because his serological status for Epstein-Barr virus was positive, PTLD was highly suspected and immunosuppression treatment was withdrawn with little improvement. One week later, he developed tachycardia. Chest CT was re-performed revealing an infiltration to the left cardiac chamber. For diagnosis, axillary lymph node biopsy was performed and during the procedure, he developed ventricular tachycardia (VT). Immunohistological staining revealed PTLD of T lymphocytes, and chemotherapy was introduced on the same day he developed VT. After two cycles of tetrahydropyranyl, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone and etoposide treatment, he completely recovered. This is a first case report of severe PTLD with VT, and our case implies the feasibility of chemotherapy after the appearance of dissemination symptoms.

Cure of multifocal panhepatic hepatoblastoma: is liver transplantation always necessary?

PURPOSE

Multifocal panhepatic hepatoblastoma (HB) without extrahepatic disease is generally considered as an indication for total hepatectomy and liver transplantation. However, after initial chemotherapy, downstaging of the tumor sometimes allows complete macroscopic resection by partial hepatectomy. This procedure is no longer recommended because of the risk of persistent viable tumor cells in the hepatic remnant. We report our experience with conservative surgery in such cases.

METHOD

Between 2000 and 2005, 4 children were consecutively referred to our unit with multinodular pan-hepatic HBs (classification PRETEXT IV of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Liver Tumor Study Group SIOPEL). Three of them had extrahepatic disease at diagnosis. All patients were treated according to SIOPEL 3 and 4 protocols.

RESULTS

Extrahepatic metastases were still viable in 2 of 3 patients after initial chemotherapy. These patients eventually died of tumor recurrence. In the 2 patients without residual extrahepatic disease, liver tumors had regressed, and complete macroscopic excision of hepatic tumor remnants could be achieved by conservative surgery. These 2 children are alive and well and free of tumor 7 years after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative surgery may be curative in some multinodular PRETEXT IV HB patients, with a good response to preoperative chemotherapy and complete excision of all macroscopic tumor remnants. However, because of the lack of reliable predictors of sterilization of the microscopic disease in the residual liver, with subsequent poor prognosis, total hepatectomy and liver transplantation remain currently recommended in patients with multinodular PRETEXT IV HB without extrahepatic disease, even though some of these children are probably overtreated.

Successful treatment of a child with late-onset T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder/lymphoma

We report a novel regimen for refractory post-transplant T-cell lymphoma (PTL). Our patient presented with non-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related, T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) 3.5 years after liver transplantation. Initially diagnosed as polyclonal PTLD, the disease progressed to a monoclonal, T-cell PTL that was refractory to several chemotherapy regimens but responded to a regimen consisting of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and alemtuzumab. Consolidation therapy included high-dose chemotherapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue, and radiation therapy. She remains in remission 2.5 years later. T-cell PTL is a rare disease with a poor prognosis; this regimen provides a novel, potentially curative approach for its treatment.

A late-onset Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoma completely remitted in a child with renal allograft

Lymphomas are frequently encountered malignancies following renal transplantations. A 17-year-old boy was found to have lymphoma 1.5 years after a the first cadaveric transplantation performed due to reflux nephropathy. Polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulin (induction) with prednisolone (PRD), azathioprine (AZT), and tacrolimus (Tac) regimen had been given after the transplantation. A hypoechoic mass (25 mm) was detected in the upper pole of the allograft by renal Doppler ultrasound performed due to graft dysfunction with a high basal serum creatinine (Cr) (2.2 mg/dL). The renal biopsy revealed a large B-cell lymphoma with CD20 staining in the medulla. The serum displayed a positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), immunoglobulin (Ig)G, negative IgM with negative DNA-polymerase chain reaction. However, the biopsy was positive for EBV-LMA. The viral status at the time of transplant was unknown. After withdrawing AZT and Tac therapies, a chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen consisting of PRD, cyclophosphamide, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody was administered twice. The patient excreted the necrosed tumor particles over a 2-month interval with hydronephrotic colic attacks. The basal Cr improved at 6 months (to 1.4 mg/dL). A low dose of Tac (0.5 mg/d) was added to PRD. The patient has remained in complete remission for 2.5 years with a well-functioning renal allograft. Although this case was a late-onset lymphoma, the patient displayed a picture like excreting stones from the allograft and remitted completely. This case illustrates that localization of a tumor may play a more important role than the elapsed time from transplant in the diagnosis in EBV-related posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease: a case report and review for the general pediatrician

This report describes a case of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in a 19-year-old male patient with an initial diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. As the number of children receiving transplants continues to increase, the pediatrician must become familiar with the possible presentations of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and at least consider it as a diagnosis in any ill child under long-term treatment with immunosuppressive agents. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, evaluation, prognosis, and treatment of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease are reviewed for the primary care pediatrician.

Successful renal retransplantation after post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a rare but severe complication of renal transplantation. Reduction of immunosuppression is essential for controlling PTLD but may induce graft loss. Retransplantation after PTLD is considered dangerous, because immunosuppressive treatment resumption may trigger hematological relapse. We retrospectively report six patients (five adults, one child) who underwent a second renal transplantation after successfully treated PTLD. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology was positive before the first transplantation in all patients except the child. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease was detected 6.6 months (range 4.5-9.4) after transplantation. Lymphoproliferation was always monomorphic, B-cell, and EBV-related. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease was confined to the renal allograft (n = 4), multilocular (n = 1) or cerebral (n = 1). Immunosuppression tapering (6/6) and transplantectomy (5/6) led to hematological remission in all patients. Retransplantation was performed 77 months (range 50-128) after PTLD diagnosis. Immunosuppression included steroids (n = 6), ATG (n = 2), anti-CD25 (n = 2), cyclosporine (n = 4), tacrolimus (n = 2), mycophenolate mofetil (n = 4) and azathioprine (n = 1). After a median follow up of 30 months (range 24-47) patient survival was 100%, with no recurrence of PTLD. In conclusion, renal retransplantation can be considered in patients with monomorphic PTLD history, without major risk of hematological recurrence.

T-cell Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Occurring in a Pediatric Solid-organ Transplant Patient

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication seen in transplant patients as a consequence of immunosuppressant therapy. Most cases are of B-cell origin and are commonly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. T-cell PTLDs are rare and only 13 pediatric T-cell PTLDs with clinicopathologic correlation have been reported previously. We present the histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of a monomorphic PTLD (T-cell lymphoma) identified in a pediatric patient following orthotopic liver transplantation. The lymphoma was identified in the ileum, rectum, and mesenteric lymph nodes. In situ hybridization revealed numerous EBER-1-positive tumor cells. A current review of the literature is also discussed. Of the 14 cases of pediatric T-cell PTLD reported in the literature, only 3 (21.4%) are described as being EBV positive. Most of the reported PTLDs are monoclonal, with 9 of 11 cases (82%) showing a clonal T-cell population by gene rearrangement studies. T-cell PTLD cases appear to have a poor prognosis (11 of 14 patients died of the disease), although patients with involvement of specific anatomic sites may have a better outcome.

The post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder-a literature review

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) affects 1%-10% of all paediatric renal transplant recipients. This is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by EBV-driven proliferation of B-lymphocytes in the face of impaired T-cell immune surveillance. The risk factors predisposing to PTLD are becoming better understood, but its pathogenesis and myriad of clinical and histological features remain poorly defined. While new treatment modalities are being tried with variable success, regular EBV surveillance and carefully monitored reduction of immunosuppression remain the mainstay of treatment. In this review, we have presented the current knowledge of this increasingly common complication in renal transplant recipients.