The Impact of the World Health Organization Classification and Clonality Assessment of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders on Disease Management

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well recognized and potentially fatal complication after pediatric cardiac transplantation. PTLD encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from benign hyperplasia to more aggressive lymphoma. Most cases are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related B-cell tumors resulting from impaired immunity due to immunosuppressive therapy. Pediatric recipients, often seronegative for EBV at transplantation, have a greater risk for PTLD than adults. The clinical presentation of PTLD varies from isolated lymphadenopathy to systemic disease; common sites involved are gastrointestinal tract, lung or airway, and cervical lesions. Timely and accurate diagnosis based on histological examination of biopsy tissue is essential for early intervention. Immunostaining for EBV and evaluation for clonality are needed. For prophylaxis when EBV viral loads are increasing or for initial treatment of early lesions or polymorphic PTLD, a reduction in immunosuppressive treatment is a key component of therapy, but caution is needed for possible rebound allograft rejection. Chemotherapy is indicated for patients with poor response to reduced immunosuppression and for highly aggressive monomorphic PTLD. The use of rituximab in combination with chemotherapy is effective. For the time being, avoiding excessive immunosuppression is the most effective strategy for reducing the incidence of PTLD. Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization with proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs) or conversion from a CNI to a PSI might be useful for preventing both development of PTLD and allograft rejection.

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Second Malignancies after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Lowe

Bhatia

Somlo

2007

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

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Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) may prolong life and cure patients suffering from otherwise fatal diseases. However, the growing population of long-term survivors has led to the realization of multiple long-term complications, including the risk of second malignancies. Compared to the autologous setting, allo-HCT carries a much higher risk of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), which usually occurs within the first year after allo-HCT and is strongly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Treatment-related myelodysplastic syndromes (tMDS) and second leukemias are extremely rare. Both autologous and allo-HCT carry increased risks for second solid malignancies (SSM). The cumulative incidence of SSM continues to increase in each of the largest studies with as much as 20 years of follow-up, likely related to the long latency of radiation-related SSM. Systematic, prospective monitoring, vigilant screening processes, and well-maintained survivorship clinics and databases are absolute necessities, and should be included in the infrastructure of individual transplant centers and networks, with mandatory periodic reporting of second malignancy incidences. Primary care and transplant physicians alike must be aware of the risk of second malignancies after allo-HCT. Most importantly, guidelines should be developed in regard to screening and prevention of second malignancies, so that physicians can provide state-of-the-art counsel and care for the benefit of our patients.

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The Impact of the World Health Organization Classification and Clonality Assessment of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders on Disease Management

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

Herpesviruses (Herpesviridae)

Herpesviruses (Herpesviridae)

Pediatric post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after cardiac transplantation

Second Malignancies after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

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