[Transplant-associated lymphoproliferation]

Treatment of Monomorphic Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant: A Multicenter Review

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is the most common posttransplant malignancy in children. We reviewed data from 3 Canadian pediatric centers to determine patient characteristics, treatment approaches, and outcomes for children with monomorphic PTLD. There were 55 eligible children diagnosed between January 2001 to December 2021. Forty-eight patients (87.2%) had B-cell PTLD: Burkitt lymphoma (n = 25; 45.4%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 23; 41.2%), the remainder had natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (n = 5; 9.1%), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1;1.8%), or other (n = 1;1.8%). Thirty-nine (82.1%) patients with B-cell PTLD were treated with rituximab and chemotherapy with or without a reduction in immunosuppression (reduced immune suppression). The chemotherapy used was primarily one of 2 regimens: Mature Lymphoma B-96 protocol in 22 patients (56.4%) and low-dose cyclophosphamide with prednisone in 14 patients (35%). Most patients with T/NK-cell lymphoma were treated with reduced immune suppression + chemotherapy (n = 4; 80%). For all patients with monomorphic PTLD, the projected 3-year event-free survival/3-year overall survival was 62% and 77%, respectively. Of the patients, 100% with T/NK-cell PTLD 100% progressed or relapsed and, subsequently, died of disease. For patients with B-cell PTLD, there was no significant difference in outcome between the two main chemotherapy regimens employed.

Characteristics, management, and outcome of pediatric patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease-A 20 years' experience from Austria

BACKGROUND

Management of pediatric post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) and solid organ transplantation (SOT) is challenging.

AIM

This study of 34 PTLD patients up to 19-years old diagnosed in Austria from 2000 to 2018 aimed at assessing initial characteristics, therapy, response, and outcome as well as prognostic markers of this rare pediatric disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective data analysis was performed. Types of allografts were kidney (n = 12), liver (n = 7), heart (n = 5), hematopoietic stem cells (n = 4), lungs (n = 2), multi-visceral (n = 2), small intestine (n = 1), and vessels (n = 1). Eighteen/34 were classified as monomorphic PTLD, with DLBCL accounting for 15 cases. Polymorphic disease occurred in nine, and non-destructive lesions in six cases. One patient had a non-classifiable PTLD. Thirteen/34 patients are surviving event-free in first remission (non-destructive, n = 4/6; polymorphic, n = 4/9; monomorphic, n = 6/18). Fourteen/34 patients lacked complete response to first-line therapy, of whom seven died. Four/34 patients relapsed, of whom two died. In 3/34 patients, death occurred as a first event. The 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 64% ± 9% and 35% ± 9% for the whole cohort. Among all parameters analyzed, only malignant disease as the indication for transplantation had a significantly poor influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows PTLD still to be a major cause of mortality following SOT or HSCT in children. A continued understanding of the molecular biology of the disease shall allow to decrease treatment intensity for lower risk patients and to identify patients who may benefit from newer therapy approaches to improve outcome and decrease morbidity.

Transnasal endoscopic resection of Epstein-Barr virus-associated cavernous sinus tumour

Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour (EBV-SMT) is a rare disease occurring in immunosuppressed patients, such as those with AIDS, post-transplantation immunodeficiency and congenital immunodeficiency. Intracranial EBV-SMT after solid organ transplantation has been reported. However, intracranial lesions after bone marrow transplantation are extremely rare. We report the case of a 47-year-old man with a history of acute myeloid leukaemia and bone marrow transplantation. He had symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, and MRI revealed a left cavernous sinus tumour. He started taking oral gabapentin, but his symptoms did not improve. We performed transnasal endoscopic surgery. Postoperative MRI showed complete removal of the cavernous sinus lesion. Pathological examination showed spindle-shaped cells positive for smooth muscle markers and EBV-encoded small RNA in situ hybridisation. EBV-SMT was pathologically diagnosed. His symptoms improved after surgery. No tumour recurrence was noted on follow-up MRI after 15 months without adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy.

An Unusual Posttransplant T-cell Lymphoma After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) encompass a spectrum of heterogeneous entities ranging from benign lymphocytic proliferations to high-grade malignant lymphomas. The majority of PTLDs are associated with reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which induces B-cell proliferation and occurs in the setting of severe immune suppression after solid organ or bone marrow transplantation. T-cell/natural killer cell PTLDs are relatively rare, constituting ∼15% of all cases. T-cell PTLDs are usually aggressive, and outcomes are poor. This article describes an unusual case of T-cell PTLD with a favorable outcome. The patient is a 57-year-old man who underwent a liver transplantation due to hepatitis C cirrhosis. He developed graft-versus-host disease with skin and gastrointestinal involvement and generalized lymphadenopathy 4 months after transplantation. Histologic sections of an excised axillary lymph node showed atypical medium and larger T-lymphocytes that were positive for CD3, CD5, CD43, and CD8 but were negative for B-cell antigens, CD56, and in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed monoclonal T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangement. A diagnosis of high-grade T-cell PTLD was made. The patient was treated with 4 cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone and is currently in remission, 4 years after therapy. The rapid presentation of an EBV-negative T-cell PTLD with a nonaggressive course and complete response to treatment is an unusual presentation of posttransplantation T-cell lymphoma, which is usually associated with a high mortality rate.

Epstein-Barr Virus+ Smooth Muscle Tumors as Manifestation of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

Epstein–Barr virus positive (EBV⁺) smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) constitute a very rare oncological entity. They usually develop in the context of secondary immunodeficiency caused by human immunodeficiency virus infection or immunosuppressive treatment after solid organ transplantation. However, in a small fraction of predominantly pediatric patients, EBV⁺ SMTs may occur in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs), such as GATA2 and CARMIL2 deficiency. In secondary immunodeficiencies and when the underlying condition can not be cured, the treatment of EBV⁺ SMTs is based on surgery in combination with antiretroviral and reduced or altered immunosuppressive pharmacotherapy, respectively. Importantly, without definitive reconstitution of cellular immunity, long-term survival is poor. This is particularly relevant for patients with EBV⁺ SMTs on the basis of PIDs. Recently, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation resulted in cure of immunodeficiency and EBV⁺ SMTs in a GATA2-deficient patient. We propose that in the absence of secondary immunodeficiency disorders patients presenting with EBV⁺ SMTs should be thoroughly evaluated for PIDs. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be taken into consideration, ideally in the setting of a prospective clinical trial.

Large granular lymphocytosis after transplantation

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) represent a heterogeneous group of diseases that occur following transplantation. Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) lymphocytosis is one type of PTLD, ranging from reactive polyclonal self-limited expansion to oligo/monoclonal lymphocytosis or even to overt leukaemia. LGL lymphocytosis in transplant recipients may present as a relatively indolent version of the condition and may be more common than reported, but its natural history and clinical course have not been well described, and the lack of a reliable classification system has limited studies on this disease. Patients with unexplained cytopenias, autoimmune manifestations, or unexpected remissions may be mislabelled. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the clinical features, immunophenotypes, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, outcomes and treatment of post-transplantation LGL lymphocytosis. In conclusion, LGL lymphocytosis is a frequent occurrence after transplantation that correlates with certain procedural variables and post-transplant events. LGL lymphocytosis should be considered in patients with unexplained lymphocytosis or when pancytopenia develops after transplantation. The diagnosis of LGL lymphocytosis requires a demonstration of monoclonality, but clonality does not indicate malignancy. Additional studies are necessary to further delineate the potential effects of large granular lymphocytes in the long-term prognosis of post-transplant patients.

Epstein-Barr virus–associated smooth muscle tumor of the cavernous sinus: a delayed complication of allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: case report

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–associated smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) have recently been associated with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. They are broadly divided into 3 subgroups: HIV-related, posttransplant, and congenital immunodeficiency. Subsequent to organ transplantation and acquired immunosuppression, a few cases of EBV-associated SMTs have been described in the liver, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system. To the authors' knowledge, intracranial involvement after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation has never been reported previously. The authors describe the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with recent-onset painful ophthalmoplegia. She had a prior history of acute myelogenous leukemia requiring allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation 2 years earlier, but she was in a remission phase. Imaging revealed a T1/T2 isointense, homogeneously enhancing lesion of the left cavernous sinus. A presumptive diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome was made, and she was treated with steroids; however, her symptoms progressed quickly and repeat imaging revealed that the lesion was growing. To rule out leukemic deposits, a minimally invasive lateral orbitotomy extradural transcavernous approach was performed for biopsy sampling and debulking of the lesion. The biopsied tumor tissue was found to be infiltrative, grayish, firm, and moderately vascular. The final pathology results indicated an EBV-associated SMT of the cavernous sinus. Subsequently, the patient's steroid treatment was stopped and she had obtained partial symptomatic relief at her last follow-up visit, 3 months after surgery. EBV-associated SMT should be included in the differential diagnosis for intracranial and dural-based central nervous system lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients. Paradoxical response to steroids with worsening of symptoms is a hallmark of EBV-associated SMTs.

Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A 16, tumour protein 53 and epidermal growth factor receptor in salivary gland carcinomas is not associated with oncogenic virus infection

It is known that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause squamous cell neoplasms at several sites, such as cervix uteri carcinoma and oral squamous carcinoma. There is little information on the expression of HPV and its predictive markers in tumours of the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck. We therefore assessed oral salivary gland neoplasms to identify associations between HPV and infection-related epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A/p16) and tumour protein p53 (TP53). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from oral salivary gland carcinomas (n=51) and benign tumours (n=26) were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for several HPV species, including high-risk types 16 and 18. Evaluation of EGFR, CDKN2A, TP53 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was performed by immunohistochemistry. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was evaluated by EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridisation. We demonstrated that salivary gland tumours are not associated with HPV infection. The expression of EGFR, CDKN2A and TP53 may be associated with tumour pathology but is not induced by HPV. CMV and EBV were not detectable. In contrast to oral squamous cell carcinomas, HPV, CMV and EBV infections are not associated with malignant or benign neoplastic lesions of the salivary glands.

Large granular lymphocytic leukemia presenting late after solid organ transplantation: a case series of four patients and review of the literature

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a significant complication of solid organ transplantation. Most PTLD is of the B-cell subtype, although T-cell subtype PTLD uncommonly occurs. T-cell PTLDs are usually aggressive neoplasms and shorten patient and allograft survivals significantly. We present a single-center case series of 4 patients who developed T-cell large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia, a rare T-cell PTLD characterized by large granular lymphocytes that have characteristic azurophilic granules and a highly variable clinical course.

The impact of abdominal complications on the outcome after thoracic transplantation--a single center experience

BACKGROUND

Abdominal complications after thoracic transplantation (Tx) are potentially associated with an increased risk of mortality. We recently reported about the severe outcome after bowel perforation in patients following lung transplantation (LuTx). The aim of the present study was to likewise identify the risk factors with an impact on patient survival following heart transplantation (HTx).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis for the frequency and outcome of abdominal interventions following HTx was performed in 342 patients, and these data thereafter compared to a re-evaluated pool of 1,074 patients following LuTx. All patients were transplanted at Hanover Medical School, Germany, between January 2000 and October 2011.

RESULTS

The incidence for abdominal surgery was comparable between patients following HTx (n = 33; 9.6 %) and LuTx (n = 90; 8.4 %). Elective operations were more frequently performed in patients after HTx (8.5 vs. 5.1 %). In contrast, the incidence of emergency interventions was higher after LuTx (5.3 %) than that following HTx (2.3 %). Herewith associated was the mortality observed in these transplant recipients (15.3 and 9.9 % for LuTx and HTx, respectively). Leading diagnosis for emergency surgery was bowel perforation (n = 18, regarding all cases). In 11 of these patients, perforation occurred within the first 6 months after Tx and eight of them died in the course of this complication (one patient after HTx and seven patients after LuTx).

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal complications after HTx are less frequently than after LuTx but equally correlate with a high mortality rate. In finding or even reasonable suspicion of an acute abdomen after thoracic Tx, a broad practice for extended diagnostics and a low barrier for an early explorative laparotomy thus are recommended.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease after pediatric solid organ transplantation

Patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) carry a substantially increased risk to develop malignant lymphomas. This is in part due to the immunosuppression required to maintain the function of the organ graft. Depending on the transplanted organ, up to 15% of pediatric transplant recipients acquire posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and eventually 20% of those succumb to the disease. Early diagnosis of PTLD is often hampered by the unspecific symptoms and the difficult differential diagnosis, which includes atypical infections as well as graft rejection. Treatment of PTLD is limited by the high vulnerability towards antineoplastic chemotherapy in transplanted children. However, new treatment strategies and especially the introduction of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab have dramatically improved outcomes of PTLD. This review discusses risk factors for the development of PTLD in children, summarizes current approaches to therapy, and gives an outlook on developing new treatment modalities like targeted therapy with virus-specific T cells. Finally, monitoring strategies are evaluated.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder in pediatric patients

Transplantation of solid organs and hematopoietic stem cells is accompanied by profound disturbance of immune function mediated by immunosuppressive drugs or delayed immune reconstitution. Disturbed T cell control of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cells leads to posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in up to 10% of patients. Children are at a higher risk because they are more often EBV-naïve before transplantation. Patients with PTLD often present with unspecific symptoms (pain and organ/graft dysfunction). Depending on the onset of PTLD, manifestations vary between mainly nodal (late PTLD) and extranodal sites (early PTLD). Histology, immunohistology, EBER in situ hybridization and molecular pathology are required for diagnosis and subclassification of PTLD. The three major types are early lesions (resembling reactive proliferations in immunocompetent patients), polymorphic PTLD (proliferation of B and T cells with effacement of histoarchitecture) and monomorphic PTLD (presenting as malignant lymphomas, mainly high-grade B cell lymphomas). In a subfraction of cases, including monomorphic PTLD, reduction of immunosuppressive medication alone is sufficient to induce remission. Surgical debulking of tumor mass and anti-CD20-antibody treatment with or without chemotherapy (usually at lower dosages than in immunocompetent patients) constitute the basis of additional therapy.