Combined assessment of Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 serology for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder risk stratification in adult solid organ transplant recipients

The Association of Epstein-Barr Virus Donor and Recipient Serostatus With Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation : A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Prior studies indicate that 1% to 4% of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seronegative recipients of EBV-seropositive donor (EBV D+/R-) kidneys develop posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). However, these estimates are based on limited data that lack granularity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the associations between pretransplant EBV D+/R- and recipient EBV-seropositive status (R+) and the outcomes of PTLD and graft and patient survival among adult kidney transplant recipients.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two large U.S. transplant centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Epstein-Barr virus D+/R- and EBV R+ recipients matched 1:3 on donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2022.

MEASUREMENTS

Exposure was pretransplant donor and recipient EBV serostatus. The primary outcome was biopsy-proven PTLD. Secondary outcomes were all-cause graft loss (death, retransplant, or graft failure) and death. Follow-up was truncated to 3 years after transplant.

RESULTS

The final cohort comprised 104 EBV D+/R- recipients matched to 312 EBV R+ recipients. The mean age was 42 years (SD, 17.1), 59% were living donor transplants, and 95% received thymoglobulin induction. Among EBV D+/R- recipients, 50 (48.1%) developed EBV DNAemia, with a median time of 198 days (IQR, 110 to 282 days) after transplantation. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder occurred in 23 (22.1%) EBV D+/R- recipients at a median of 202 days (IQR, 118 to 317 days) after transplantation. Epstein-Barr virus D+/R- recipients had higher all-cause graft failure (hazard ratio, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.06 to 4.63]); mortality was higher but not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 2.19 [CI, 0.94 to 5.13]).

LIMITATION

Two-center study.

CONCLUSION

Compared with previous studies, this study showed that EBV D+/R- kidney recipients face a 5- to 10-fold higher cumulative incidence of PTLD. Strategies to mitigate the PTLD risk are urgently needed.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Institutes of Health.

Epidemiology of Infections in Lung Transplant Recipients Treated With Belatacept

BACKGROUND

Belatacept is a costimulatory blocker that can be used to prevent and treat rejection in lung transplant recipients (LuTRs). The epidemiology of infections in belatacept-treated LuTRs has not been systematically evaluated.

METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective study of all adult LuTRs who received belatacept as prevention or treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (desensitization) or as part of maintenance immunosuppression from January 1, 2011, to June 30, 2022. We assessed the epidemiology of infections that occurred within 12 months following the first belatacept dose.

RESULTS

Fifty-two LuTRs received at least one dose of belatacept as either desensitization (n = 32) or maintenance immunosuppression (n = 20). Among 45 patients who were cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor and/or recipient seropositive, nine (20%) developed CMV infection. Seven (77%) CMV infections occurred despite valganciclovir prophylaxis and four (44%) were associated with antiviral resistance. Three (6%) LuTRs developed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Twenty-five (48%) LuTRs developed 43 bacterial infections and five (10%) developed proven or probable invasive fungal disease. Incidence rates of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections were similar between the desensitization and maintenance groups: incidence rate ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.70 (0.32-1.57), 1.31 (0.70-2.46), and 2.82 (0.31-25.2), respectively. Infection/PTLD prompted belatacept discontinuation in eight (15%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first year after belatacept initiation, LuTRs commonly developed CMV infections, EBV+ PTLD, and bacterial infections. Multicenter collaborations are needed to better understand infection risks in LuTRs treated with belatacept.

Cancer Surveillance in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients With a Pretransplant History of Malignancy: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Expert Opinion

With improved medical treatments, the prognosis for many malignancies has improved, and more patients are presenting for transplant evaluation with a history of treated cancer. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with a prior malignancy are at higher risk of posttransplant recurrence or de novo malignancy, and they may require a cancer surveillance program that is individualized to their specific needs. There is a dearth of literature on optimal surveillance strategies specific to SOT recipients. A working group of transplant physicians and cancer-specific specialists met to provide expert opinion recommendations on optimal cancer surveillance after transplantation for patients with a history of malignancy. Surveillance strategies provided are mainly based on general population recurrence risk data, immunosuppression effects, and limited transplant-specific data and should be considered expert opinion based on current knowledge. Prospective studies of cancer-specific surveillance models in SOT recipients should be supported to inform posttransplant management of this high-risk population.

Recent Advances in Adult Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder

PTLD is a rare but severe complication of hematopoietic or solid organ transplant recipients, with variable incidence and timing of occurrence depending on different patient-, therapy-, and transplant-related factors. The pathogenesis of PTLD is complex, with most cases of early PLTD having a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the iatrogenic, immunosuppression-related decrease in T-cell immune surveillance. Without appropriate T-cell response, EBV-infected B cells persist and proliferate, resulting in malignant transformation. Classification is based on the histologic subtype and ranges from nondestructive hyperplasias to monoclonal aggressive lymphomas, with the most common subtype being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma-like PTLD. Management focuses on prevention of PTLD development, as well as therapy for active disease. Treatment is largely based on the histologic subtype. However, given lack of clinical trials providing evidence-based data on PLTD therapy-related outcomes, there are no specific management guidelines. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis, histologic classification, and risk factors of PTLD. We further focus on common preventive and frontline treatment modalities, as well as describe the application of novel therapies for PLTD and elaborate on potential challenges in therapy.