Systematic Review of Calcineurin Inhibitors and Incidence of Skin Malignancies after Kidney Transplantation in Adult Patients: A Study of 309,551 Cases

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Cutaneous Malignant Neoplasms After Blood or Marrow Transplant

Importance

Cutaneous malignant neoplasms are the most common subsequent neoplasm after blood or marrow transplant (BMT), but a full assessment among survivors is lacking.

Objective

To identify risk factors for subsequent cutaneous malignant neoplasms using the BMT Survivor Study (BMTSS).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent transplant from 1974 to 2014 at City of Hope, University of Minnesota, or University of Alabama at Birmingham and survived 2 years or longer, as well as a comparison cohort of siblings. Both groups completed the BMTSS survey. Data analysis took place from October 2022 to October 2024.

Exposures

Demographics, pre-BMT and BMT-related therapeutic exposures, chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD), and posttransplant immunosuppression.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident cutaneous malignant neoplasms (basal cell carcinoma [BCC], squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], and melanoma) after BMT. Exposures were evaluated for association with subsequent neoplasms using proportional subdistribution hazards models (reported as subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] and 95% CI).

Results

Among the 3880 BMT survivors (median [range] age at BMT, 44.0 [0-78.0] years; 2165 [55.8%] male; 190 [4.9%] Black, 468 [12.1%] Hispanic, 2897 [74.7%] non-Hispanic White, and 325 [8.4%] of other race [including Asian and Pacific Islander] and multiracial) who were followed up for a median (range) of 9.5 (2.0-46.0) years, 605 developed 778 distinct cutaneous neoplasms (BCC, 321; SCC, 231; melanoma, 78; and unknown type, 148). The 30-year cumulative incidence of any cutaneous malignant neoplasm was 27.4% (BCC, 18.0%; SCC, 9.8%; and melanoma, 3.7%). Seventy-year cumulative probabilities of BCC, SCC, and melanoma were considerably higher in BMT survivors than siblings (18.1% vs 8.2%, 14.7% vs 4.2%, and 4.2% vs 2.4%, respectively). Among BMT survivors, risk factors for subsequent cutaneous malignant neoplasms included age of 50 years and older at BMT (BCC: SHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.36-2.29; SCC: SHR, 3.37; 95% CI, 2.41-4.72), male sex (BCC: SHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.10-1.75; SCC: SHR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.39-2.45), pre-BMT monoclonal antibody exposure (BCC: SHR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.27-2.31), allogeneic BMT with cGVHD (BCC: SHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.06-2.08; SCC: SHR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.68-4.04 [reference: autologous BMT]), post-BMT immunosuppression (BCC: SHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.24-2.14; SCC: SHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09-2.02; melanoma: SHR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.12), and transplant at City of Hope (BCC: SHR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.58-4.89; SCC: SHR, 3.57; 95% CI, 2.34-5.47 [reference: University of Minnesota]) or University of Alabama at Birmingham (BCC: SHR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.35-4.23; SCC: SHR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.36-5.08 [reference: University of Minnesota]). Race and ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White were protective for BCC (Black: no cases; Hispanic: SHR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.44; other race and multiracial: SHR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.50 [reference: non-Hispanic White]) and SCC (Black: SHR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.67; Hispanic: SHR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.16-0.50; other race and multiracial: SHR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.05-0.37 [reference: non-Hispanic White]). Total body irradiation was associated with BCC risk among those younger than 50 years at BMT (SHR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.27-2.92).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, the high risk of cutaneous malignant neoplasms and malignant-specific risk factors suggest a need for personalized patient counseling and posttransplant dermatologic surveillance.

International incidence of melanoma in heart transplant recipients: a meta-analysis

The incidence of heart transplants in the USA has increased by 85.8% since 2011, resulting in a growing population of recipients requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy. While essential for preventing organ rejection, this therapy significantly increases melanoma risk. This meta-analysis investigates the incidence and risk factors of melanoma in heart transplant recipients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, including observational studies reporting melanoma incidence in heart transplant recipients. Relative risk (RR) was synthesized from standardized incidence ratios, hazard ratios, incidence rate ratios, and standardized mortality ratios. The meta-analysis incorporated 10 studies, including 22 415 heart transplant recipients. The pooled RR was 2.21 (95% confidence interval: 1.32-3.71; P  = 0.003), indicating a significantly elevated melanoma risk. This study highlights the critical need for preventive dermatological strategies in heart transplant recipients and calls for further research into the impact of different immunosuppressive regimens on melanoma risk. Despite limitations, these findings offer valuable insights for optimizing long-term patient care.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Previous Full-Thickness Graft Donor Site: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

Background/Objectives: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin malignancy, typically occurs in sun-exposed areas but can develop in atypical locations, such as scars, burns, and skin graft donor sites. BCC arising specifically in full-thickness skin graft donor sites is exceptionally rare. This study presents a unique case of BCC occurring 16 years post-graft harvesting and provides a comprehensive literature review to analyze clinical patterns, possible etiopathogenesis, and treatment strategies. Methods: A case report was described and a comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (up to November 2024). Studies were screened for cases of BCC involving skin graft donor and recipient sites. Extracted data included demographics, graft type, latency period, histopathology, treatment, and outcomes. Results: A 68-year-old woman presented with biopsy-confirmed mixed nodular and micronodular BCC at the donor site of a full-thickness skin graft 16 years after its use for nasal reconstruction. Surgical excision with clear margins resulted in complete resolution without recurrence. A literature analysis revealed seven cases of graft-associated BCC, predominantly affecting older females. Partial-thickness grafts were frequently involved, with latency periods ranging from 1 to 61 years. Nodular BCC was the most common histological subtype, and surgical excision remained the primary and most effective treatment. Conclusions: Although rare, BCC can develop in skin graft donor sites after prolonged latency. Chronic trauma, impaired vascularization, and genetic alterations likely contribute to tumorigenesis. Lifelong surveillance, early detection, and timely intervention are critical to improving outcomes.

Skin cancer associated with calcineurin inhibitors treatment: analysis of FAERS database

BACKGROUND

Several studies have indicated a potential link between calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and skin cancers. However, comprehensive evidence of CNI-induced skin cancers remains lacking.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted an observational retrospective pharmacovigilance study utilizing the FAERS database to identify potential risk signals associated with skin cancers with CNIs treatment, encompassing data from its inception to the third quarter of 2023. The assessment was carried out using the Information Component (IC) and Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR).

RESULTS

We identified 1339 cases of skin cancers linked to CNIs use. The frequency of skin cancers associated with both CsA and Tac was significantly higher compared to all other drugs in the database, especially for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). There was no significant difference in the risk of CsA-related melanoma skin cancer (MSC) and NMSC compared to Tac. Additionally, the development of MSC appeared to have a higher risk of fatal outcomes in individuals of Caucasian descent and patients aged 40-79 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has provided new real-world evidence regarding the safety of CNIs concerning skin cancers. It is recommended that clinicians remain vigilant about CNI-associated skin cancers and implement early surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Patients with Solid-Organ-Transplant-Associated Immunosuppression

The management of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has been revolutionized by the introduction of immunotherapy. Yet, successful treatment with immunotherapy relies on an adequate antitumor immune response. Patients who are solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have a higher incidence of CSCC compared to the general population. This review discusses the current knowledge of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of patients with CSCC who are immunocompromised because of their chronic exposure to immunosuppressive medications to prevent allograft rejection. First, we discuss the prognostic impact of immunosuppression in patients with CSCC. Next, we review the risk of CSCC development in immunosuppressed patients due to SOT. In addition, we provide an overview of the biological immune disruption present in transplanted immunosuppressed CSCC patients. We discuss the available evidence on the use of immunotherapy and provide a framework for the management approach with SOTRs with CSCC. Finally, we discuss potential novel approaches that are being investigated for the management of immunosuppressed patients with CSCC.

Rapamycin inhibits B16 melanoma cell viability invitro and invivo by inducing autophagy and inhibiting the mTOR/p70‑S6k pathway

Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant that has been shown to prevent tumor growth following organ transplantation. However, its exact mode of antitumor action remains unknown. The present study used the B16-F10 (B16) murine melanoma model to explore the antitumor mechanism of rapamycin, and it was revealed that rapamycin reduced B16 cell viability in vitro and in vivo. In addition, in vitro and in vivo, the results of western blotting showed that rapamycin reduced Bcl2 expression, and enhanced the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase 3 and Bax, indicating that it can induce the apoptosis of B16 melanoma cells. Furthermore, the results of cell cycle analysis and western blotting showed that rapamycin induced B16 cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, based on the reduction in the protein expression levels of CDK1, cyclin D1 and CDK4, as well as the increase in the percentage of cells in G1 phase. Rapamycin also significantly increased the number of autophagosomes in B16 melanoma cells, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the results of RT-qPCR and western blotting showed that rapamycin upregulated the protein expression levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1, while downregulating the expression of p62 in vitro and in vivo, thus indicating that rapamycin could trigger cellular autophagy. The present study revealed that rapamycin in combination with chloroquine (CQ) further increased LC3 expression compared with that in the CQ group, suggesting that rapamycin induced an increase in autophagy in B16 cells. Furthermore, the results of western blotting showed that rapamycin blocked the phosphorylation of p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70-S6k) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins in vitro and in vivo, thus suggesting that rapamycin may exert its antitumor effect by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the mTOR/p70-S6k pathway. In conclusion, rapamycin may inhibit tumor growth by inducing cellular G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. In addition, rapamycin may exert its antitumor effects by inducing the autophagy of B16 melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo, and the mTOR/p70-S6k signaling pathway may be involved in this process.