B-cell posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder isolated to the central nervous system is Epstein-Barr virus positive and lacks p53 and Myc expression by immunohistochemistry

Impact of treatment variability and clinicopathological characteristics on survival in patients with Epstein-Barr-Virus positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Patients with EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS)) recurrently present with advanced age and reduced performance status. They are therefore insufficiently represented in clinical trials and treatment is likely to differ. Here we assess clinicopathological characteristics, therapeutic variability and clinical outcome in the largest consecutively diagnosed EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS) cohort published to date (n = 80; median age 70 years; range 19-90). Centralized and systematic haematopathological panel review was performed. By immunohistochemistry 60/80 patients were CD30-positive. Further, we identified nine EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS) patients with associated or composite peripheral T cell lymphoma at diagnosis or relapse (preceded by clonal T cell populations within the initial DLBCL biopsy in 4/5 cases). Most patients (80%) were treated with R-CHOP-type therapy and 16 patients received none or less intensiveprotocols. Upon univariate analysis both R-CHOP-type therapy (OS: P < 0.0001; PFS: P = 0.0617) and negativity for CD30 (OS: P = 0.0002; PFS: P = 0.0002) showed a protective 66 effect, maintained upon multivariate analysis. In a propensity-score matched analysis with a cohort of non-EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS) patients, balanced for all revised-international prognostic index factors, we found an EBV-association to hold no significant impact on progression-free and overall survival whilst exhibiting a trend favouring EBV-negativity (OS: P = 0.116; PFS: P = 0.269). Our findings provide insight into the clinical course of EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS), highlight the ramifications of CD30-expression and underline the superior therapeutic efficacy of R-CHOP immunochemotherapy. Alternative therapies, incorporating tumour biology (e.g. CD30 directed therapies) need to be explored in EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS) patients. Moreover our data advert to the close relationship between EBV⁺ DLBCL (NOS) and peripheral T cell lymphomas.

A single-center experience of post-transplant lymphomas involving the central nervous system with a review of current literature

Background

Central Nervous System (CNS) lymphoma is a rare presentation of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).

Methods

This single center retrospective study reviewed presentations, management and outcomes of CNS lymphomas in kidney transplant patients transplanted 1968 to 2015, and reviews relevant current literature.

Results

We identified 5773 adult kidney transplant recipients of who 90 had a PTLD diagnosis confirmed. CNS disease was diagnosed in 6/90 (7%). Median age at presentation was 60 years and time from transplant 4.5 years. Immunosuppression at diagnosis included mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone without calcineurin inhibitor in 5/6 patients. Histological analysis diagnosed monomorphic disease in 5/6, and one polymorphic case with tissue positive for Epstein-barr virus (EBV) in 5/6 cases. Despite this 2/4 EBV positive cases had no detectable EBV in peripheral blood or CSF at diagnosis. Treatment strategies included reduction in immunosuppression in all, chemotherapy (n=5), radiotherapy (n=3), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes and Craniotomy (n=2). Patient survival was 40% at 1 year with CTL treated patients surviving beyond three years from diagnosis.

Conclusion

This study supports observational data suggesting MMF treated patients without CNI may have increased risk of disease. Peripheral blood screening for EBV DNAemia does not seem helpful in early identification of those at risk.

Management of primary central nervous system lymphoma

A rare tumor, primary central nervous system lymphoma can affect immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. While sensitive to radiotherapy or chemotherapy crossing the blood-brain barrier, it often recurs. Modern treatment consists of high-dose methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy, often followed by consolidation with either radiotherapy or further chemotherapy. Neurotoxicity is however a concern with radiotherapy, especially for patients older than 60 years. The benefit of the addition of rituximab to chemotherapy is unclear. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have been effective in some patients and are tested on a larger scale. Survival has improved in the last decade, but remains poor in older patients.