Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after liver transplantation: Report of 16 cases from a single center.

Abstract

e19513 Background: PTLD is a rare complication of organ transplantation, but it can jeopardize the transplantation outcome. Methods: Paul Brousse University Hospital is the largest liver transplantation center in France. We retrospectively analyzed data from all of the patients who experienced PTLD and treated in our hematology/oncology department in the last 10 years. Results: 16 cases of PTLD occurred after various intervals following the liver transplant without correlation with the type of underlying liver disease or immunosuppressive treatment. Overall, the patients had poor general health (ECOG 3-4: 69%), renal and/or hepatic failure (75%), and cytopenia (63%). PTLD were often of high grade (81%), B phenotype (94%), stage IV (75%), with high LDH (88%). The most frequent disease sites were liver (63%), subdiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy (69%), and extranodal (69%). After a reduction in the immunosuppressive treatment, the patients received their initial chemotherapy mostly with a combination of prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and rituximab. As soon as their general condition improved, R-CHOP was given as the standard regimen. All patients experienced severe and frequent complications during chemotherapy. Two patients had liver transplant rejection, lethal in one case. Six patients died: 4 of progression or relapse of PTLD, one after 4th liver transplantation, one of leukoencephalitis. Complete remission was obtained in 81% of patients. Ten patients (63%) are alive in complete remission after a median follow up of 6.5 years. Conclusions: Despite the clinical complexity of these patients, PTLD can be treated utilizing common lymphoma chemotherapy with treatment accommodations to poor ECOG, liver and renal dysfunctions.