Management of the kidney transplant patient with Cancer: Report from a Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference

Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp in Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Organ transplant recipients are at a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer compared to the general population, particularly cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Approximately 3-8% of these carcinomas are located on the scalp. Scalp reconstruction is particularly challenging, especially for large excisions, due to the thickness of the scalp, the inelastic aponeurosis of the galea, and the integrity of the hair-bearing scalp. Additionally, in organ transplant recipients, the presence of numerous comorbidities and the increased risk of infection due to immunosuppressive therapy make management more complex. Based on our experience and the existing literature, we aim to describe possible reconstruction methods and discuss the combined management of medical and immunosuppressive therapy.

METHOD

We present our experience with seven kidney transplant patients who underwent excision of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with a diameter larger than 3 cm. The crane technique involves three key steps. First, the tumor is excised with wide margins of disease-free tissue. Next, a pericranial flap is rotated and positioned to cover the exposed cranial bone. Finally, a bilayer dermal substitute is applied to create a microenvironment that supports skin graft implantation.

RESULTS

The crane technique was used for six patients. In one case, an O-Z rotation flap was used. All patients modified their immunosuppressive therapy, with those receiving antiproliferative therapy switching everolimus after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

When combined with a post-operative modification of the immunosuppressive regimen, the crane technique could be considered a feasible, safe, and effective approach to managing large cSCC of the scalp in fragile patients.

Treatment of metastatic melanoma with anti-PD-1 and anti-LAG-3 in a kidney transplant recipient

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have quickly emerged as standard therapy in multiple cancers, yet their application in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) remains challenging due to risk of graft rejection. In this case, report, we highlight the successful use of a lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) inhibitor, relatlimab, in combination with nivolumab (a programmed cell death protein 1 [PD-1] inhibitor) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma in a kidney transplant recipient. The patient developed a complete metabolic response to therapy. LAG-3 expression was notably positive in the renal graft, but negative in the metastatic melanoma tumor tissue. Although the outcome resulted in rapid renal graft rejection, this underscores the need for further research into LAG-3's dual role in cancer therapy and allograft rejection in organ transplant recipients.

Bariatric surgery in prospective obese living kidney donors: scoping review and management decision algorithm

INTRODUCTION

Global chronic kidney disease is now epidemic, with substantial health and economic consequences. While scientific support for living donor renal transplants (LDRT) is strong, donor shortages necessitate consideration of expanded criteria, including obese individuals. Bariatric surgery (BS) may mitigate obesity-related risks, but research on living donor candidates is scarce. Our scoping review aims to compile evidence, identify gaps, and formulate an algorithm to guide healthcare professionals in evaluating BS for obese living donors.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We did a systematic search of studies on living kidney donors and obesity. We searched the MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, CENTRAL and Web of Science databases for studies from database inception to March 30, 2023. All English-language articles available in full text have been considered. Excluded are commentaries, editorials, letters, and abstracts.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Obesity in LDRT raises long-term ESRD risk. Current high BMI donor admission raises ethical and clinical concerns. Encouraging timely weight loss can make obese candidates suitable donors, reducing risks. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most reported and preferable approach, since it minimizes hyperoxaluria risk. Re-evaluation for donation is possible 6-12 months post-BS, with BMI<35 for three months. Cost-benefit analysis favors BS over nephrectomy in obese donors (cost-benefit ratio: 3.64) when graft survival is equal.

CONCLUSIONS

BS shows promise with short-term effectiveness and potential long-term outcomes. However, it should not be perceived as a means to expand the donor pool but rather as a personalized approach to address obesity and improve individuals' health.

Renal Cell Carcinoma in End-Stage Kidney Disease and the Role of Transplantation

Kidney transplant patients have a higher risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared to non-transplanted end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. This increased risk has largely been associated with the use of immunosuppression; however, recent genetic research highlights the significance of tissue specificity in cancer driver genes. The implication of tissue specificity becomes more obscure when addressing transplant patients, as two distinct metabolic environments are present within one individual. The oncogenic potential of donor renal tissue is largely unknown but assumed to pose minimal risk to the kidney transplant recipient (KTR). Our review challenges this notion by examining how donor and recipient microenvironments impact a transplant recipient's associated risk of renal cell carcinoma. In doing so, we attempt to encapsulate how ESKD-RCC and KTR-RCC differ in their incidence, pathogenesis, outcome, and approach to management.

Evaluation of Transplant Suitability in a Patient with Previous Colorectal Cancer and Subsequent Radiation Cystitis: Insights from a Complicated Case

Assessing transplant suitability can be a meticulous process, involving multiple investigations and various specialties. This process is well described in the latest KDIGO guidelines. We recently asked ourselves if those guidelines are still relevant to current clinical practice given the rapid evolution of modern medicine, especially in the field of oncology. We present the complicated case of a 60-year-old woman with ESKD (end-stage kidney disease) and a prior history of cancer, with secondary urological complications, to illustrate different interesting considerations for KT (kidney transplant). Our patient was diagnosed with rectal cancer at the age of 46, for which she was treated with surgery and radiotherapy before developing chronic radiation cystitis. This was followed by repeated urinary tract infections and secondary nephrolithiasis, ultimately leading to severe bilateral hydronephrosis and obstructive ESKD. We know that the type of cancer and its characteristics should be evaluated in detail, and we should offer patient-tailored recommendations after a multidisciplinary evaluation. In our case, the prior rectal cancer is not to be feared because curative treatment has been achieved and the patient has been cancer-free for 14 years, knowing that this type of cancer is not at high risk of recurrence after transplantation. The frail urological anatomy, however, represents a bigger challenge. Not only does it complicate the technical feasibility of KT but it also increases the risk of complications and graft failure. It is difficult to clearly determine KT possibility when considering it in such patients. What is clear on the other hand is that such a decision should be taken considering the choice of the patient and the involved physicians. We should also consider the potential benefits and risks of KT in order to make an informed decision.

Efficacy and safety of MWA versus RFA and CA for renal tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparison studies

PURPOSE

Thermal ablation procedures represent an alternative treatment option for patients with T1a renal tumors. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation (CA) are the most used and studied techniques, while microwave ablation (MWA) has progressively emerged in recent years. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of MWA in comparison to RFA and CA for the treatment of primary renal tumors.

METHOD

Pubmed, CENTRAL, Web of Science and Scopus were searched until March 2023 to identify studies aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of MWA with those of RFA and CA for the treatment of patients with primary renal tumors. We compared MWA and RFA/CA primary technique efficacy, local recurrences, overall and cancer-specific survival, major and overall complications, and eGFR changes. Moreover, subgroup analyses were conducted (MWA vs RFA; MWA vs CA; MWA vs RFA/CA in T1a renal tumors).

RESULTS

Ten retrospective studies with 2258 thermal ablations were included (508 MWA and 1750 RFA /CA). MWA had fewer local recurrences (OR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.16, 0.62; p = 0.0008) than RFA/CA; the other outcomes were not significantly different. In subgroup analyses, MWA resulted to have fewer overall complications than RFA (OR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38, 0.97; p = 0.04) and CA (OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28, 0.85; p = 0.01); moreover, MWA was associated with fewer recurrences than CA (OR = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11, 0.84; p = 0.02). In T1a renal tumors subgroup analysis, the outcomes were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

MWA is an ablative procedure as effective and safe as RFA or CA for the treatment of renal tumors.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors in renal transplanted patients affected by melanoma: a systematic review

Kidney transplantation leads to an increased risk of cancer. Melanoma is one of the most frequent neoplasms in kidney transplant recipients. Transplanted patients were excluded from trials with checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma. The authors performed a systematic review regarding the use of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 agents in renal transplanted patients with melanoma. Thirty-four cases were included (24 progressive disease, eight partial responses and one stable disease) but no complete response were reported. Fourteen graft rejections were observed, especially with anti-PD1 agent. The median time from the start of immune-checkpoint inhibitor and rejection was 21 days. Response rate was similar between patients with rejection and patients without rejection. The benefit of immune-checkpoint inhibitors versus the risk of allograft rejection should be carefully weighted for each patient. A multidisciplinary approach should be considered to discuss the most appropriate treatment for every case, given the aggressiveness of melanoma in these subsets of patients.