Nephrotic syndrome as a clinical manifestation of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a marrow transplant recipient after cyclosporine withdrawal

Glomerular diseases associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: case reports

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the major complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Nephrotic syndrome (NS) and other types of glomerulonephritis have been proposed to be the very rare forms of renal cGVHD. From 1991 to 2011, 253 patients underwent allo-SCT at our center. We report here 4 cases (1.6%) presenting with varieties of glomerular manifestations associated with cGVHD. The first case was typical NS. The renal pathology showed membranous nephropathy (MN). The second case was also MN, but this patient also had the pathology of focal segmental glomerulosclrosis (FSGS) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The third case showed lupus nephritis-like glomerular lesions with a high anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer. The fourth case presented with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN)-like symptoms. The kidney histology in this case was not available. The patient responded well to immunosuppressive therapy, but NS later recurred. Therefore, overt glomerular diseases after allo-SCT in Thai patients are not very rare. Monitoring urinalysis during withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs and also during follow-up of patients with cGVHD may be considered.

NIH Consensus development project on criteria for clinical trials in chronic graft-versus-host disease: II. The 2014 Pathology Working Group Report

The 2005 National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference outlined histopathological diagnostic criteria for the major organ systems affected by both acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The 2014 Consensus Conference led to this updated document with new information from histopathological studies of GVHD in the gut, liver, skin, and oral mucosa and an expanded discussion of GVHD in the lungs and kidneys. The recommendations for final histological diagnostic categories have been simplified from 4 categories to 3: no GVHD, possible GVHD, and likely GVHD, based on better reproducibility achieved by combining the previous categories of "consistent with GVHD" and "definite GVHD" into the single category of "likely GVHD." Issues remain in the histopathological characterization of GVHD, particularly with respect to the threshold of histological changes required for diagnostic certainty. Guidance is provided for the incorporation of biopsy information into prospective clinical studies of GVHD, particularly with respect to biomarker validation.

Solid organ transplantation following end-organ failure in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an accepted treatment modality for various malignant and non-malignant disorders of the lympho-hematopoietic system. Patient survival rate has increased significantly with the use of this procedure. However, with the increase in disease-free patient survival rates, complications including various organ toxicities are also common. Kidney, liver, lung, heart, and skin are among those solid organs that are commonly affected and frequently lead to organ dysfunction and eventually end-organ disease. Conservative measures may or may not be successful in managing the organ failure in these patients. Solid organ transplantation has been shown to be promising in those patients who fail conservative management. This review will summarize the causes of solid organ (kidney, liver, and lung) dysfunction and the available data on transplantation of these solid organs in post-HSCT recipients.

The role of graft-versus-host disease in haematopoietic cell transplantation-associated glomerular disease

BACKGROUND

Glomerular disease among haematopoietic cell transplantation recipients has been attributed to chronic graft-versus-host disease. Clinical outcomes of this population may be influenced by the haematopoietic cell transplantation conditioning regimen, donor factors and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

METHODS

In this review, 95 cases of haematopoietic cell transplantation-associated glomerular disease were identified from literature review for analysis. Patient characteristics, the association of chronic graft-versus-host disease with glomerular diseases, and the impact of host and haematopoietic cell transplantation regimen on outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The median onset of glomerular disease from haematopoietic cell transplantation and from cessation of immunosuppressive agents was 15.5 and 1 month, respectively. Although chronic graft-versus-host disease was common among haematopoietic cell transplant recipients with glomerulonephritis (72%), this was no different from that observed in the overall haematopoietic cell transplantation population. Membranous nephropathy and minimal change disease are the most prevalent glomerular diseases among haematopoietic cell transplantation recipients. Chronic graft-versus-host disease, donor factors and haematopoietic cell transplant regimen did not significantly impact outcomes in this study population.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathogenic mechanisms in addition to (or other than) chronic graft-versus-host disease are likely contribute to haematopoietic cell transplantation-associated glomerular disease. Further investigation will be required to delineate clearly the pathogenesis.

Chronic kidney disease after pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant

There are 3 clearly distinct clinical entities that occur after HCT: TMA, idiopathic CKD, and nephrotic syndrome. The potentially independent role of GVHD and chronic inflammation in the development and progression of idiopathic CKD warrants further investigation. CKD after HCT is a relatively common occurrence. As the indications for and number of transplants performed world wide increases, so will the burden of kidney disease. Identifying those patients at risk for the development of CKD will be important for potential intervention and prevention of CKD and progression to end-stage renal disease in this patient population. There are those patients who will develop CKD that is not related to TBI or the conditioning regimen but rather to complications and/or therapy that occur after HCT, specifically aGVHD and cGVHD and prolonged calcinuerin inhibitor use. The burden of management will fall not only to the nephrologists but the oncologist as well to ensure close monitoring of renal function, blood pressure, and urinalyses posttransplant. It may be that our energies have been misdirected in trying to reduce exposure to TBI, and rather we should try to decrease the inflammatory and cytokine effects of GVHD and reduce exposure to calcineurin inhibitors to prevent CKD in this population of patients.

Renal pathology in hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients

Hematopoietic cell transplantation-associated renal injury may be related to a combination of factors including chemotherapy, radiation, infection, immunosuppressive agents, ischemia, and graft-versus-host disease. Renal biopsy specimens from hematopoietic cell transplant recipients at two institutions (Stanford University Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University) were reviewed in correlation with clinical data. Fifteen cases were identified (post hematopoietic cell transplant time 0.7-14.5 years), including six with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant. Indications for renal biopsy included proteinuria (n=13; nephrotic range in 8), increased serum creatinine (n=10), or both (n=6). Many patients had multiple pathologic findings on renal biopsy. Membranous glomerulonephritis was the most common diagnosis (n=7), including two patients with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant and five with evidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease elsewhere. Four membranous glomerulonephritis patients achieved sustained remission with rituximab therapy. Other glomerular pathology included focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n=1) and minimal change disease (n=1). Evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy was common (in isolation or combined with other pathology), as was acute tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Of 14 patients with follow-up (2-64 months, mean 19 months), 6 had chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl), 2 had end stage renal disease, and 6 had essentially normal renal function. Our retrospective study shows that renal dysfunction in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients is often multifactorial, and biopsy may reveal treatable causes. Membranous glomerulonephritis is seen in autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, and may respond to anti-B-cell therapy, which has implications regarding pathogenesis and relationship to graft-versus-host disease.

Chronic kidney disease after liver, cardiac, lung, heart-lung, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Patient survival after cardiac, liver, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is improving; however, this survival is limited by substantial pretransplant and treatment-related toxicities. A major cause of morbidity and mortality after transplant is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the majority of CKD after transplant is attributed to the use of calcineurin inhibitors, various other conditions such as thrombotic microangiopathy, nephrotic syndrome, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis have been described. Though the immunosuppression used for each of the transplant types, cardiac, liver and HSCT is similar, the risk factors for developing CKD and the CKD severity described in patients after transplant vary. As the indications for transplant and the long-term survival improves for these children, so will the burden of CKD. Nephrologists should be involved early in the pretransplant workup of these patients. Transplant physicians and nephrologists will need to work together to identify those patients at risk of developing CKD early to prevent its development and progression to end-stage renal disease.

Spectrum of renal pathology in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a series of 20 patients and review of the literature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is a common treatment option for a variety of hematopoietic malignancies. As a result of the use of total body irradiation and/or chemotherapeutic agents, renal dysfunction often ensues. Many pharmacologic agents, such as cyclosporine and high-intensity conditioning regimens, have been linked with thrombotic microangiopathy. In addition, an association between membranous nephropathy and graft-versus-host disease has been reported in this clinical setting.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS

A study of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation patients with renal dysfunction was conducted to document the spectrum of renal manifestations. The pathology files at the University of Washington and University of Chicago Medical Centers were reviewed, and 20 patients with a kidney biopsy after hematopoietic cell transplantation were identified. The histologic findings were correlated with relevant clinical information.

RESULTS

A wide spectrum of renal diseases could be classified into four categories: (1) Complications related to hematopoietic cell transplantation (conditioning regimen, immunosuppression, or posttransplantation complications), (2) podocytopathy, (3) membranous nephropathy, or (4) recurrence or persistence of original hematologic disease. Pathologic diagnoses included thrombotic microangiopathy, polyoma virus nephropathy, acute kidney injury/acute tubular necrosis, acute and chronic interstitial nephritis, minimal-change disease, "tip" variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, amyloidosis, and myeloma cast nephropathy. Membranous nephropathy, minimal-change disease, and amyloidosis were common causes of severe proteinuria. Because of the conditioning regimens, posttransplantation complications, and potential nephrotoxic agents used during hematopoietic cell transplantation, it was difficult to attribute the subsequent renal dysfunction to specific factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The renal biopsy remains essential for diagnosing the underlying injury that can affect one or more compartments of the kidney in this unique clinical setting.

Membranous nephropathy is developed under Th2 environment in chronic graft-versus-host disease

Clinical data from case reports of nephrotic syndrome including allogenetic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) suggest that there may be some relationship between chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and membranous nephropathy (MN). It is widely recognized T cells are crucial for the development of GVHD, and that T helper (Th) cells differentiate into at least two subsets, Th1 and Th2. The polarized situation between Th1 and Th2 cells is established to be important in animal models and human autoimmune diseases. In a chronic GVHD murine model a Th2 cell plays a pivotal role for the pathogenesis. In MRL/lpr mice, which is particularly valuable model for systemic lupus erythematosus, developed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in Th1 environment and MN in Th2 environment. Similarly, Th2 cells may be predominantly activated in chronic GVHD, production and deposition of IgG4 in the glomeruli may develop MN. A hypothesis is: when the patient in period of chronic GVHD developed immune complex-mediated disease, IgG4 might be mainly produced in Th2 environment, and the deposition of IgG4 in the glomeruli may result in the formation of MN.

Nephrotic syndrome in a child after umbilical-cord-blood transplantation

We report a 12-year-old girl who developed nephrotic syndrome 6 months after umbilical-cord-blood transplantation (UCBT) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (L2). In addition to nephrotic syndrome, she also showed autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Since these symptoms were manifested during the course of tapering immunosuppressive agents, a diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was made. Findings from a kidney biopsy were compatible with minimal-change disease (MCD), and focal glomerular capillary thrombosis and mild tubular damage were also noted. She was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone. Proteinuria disappeared in 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia and thrombocytopenia were also corrected. This is a case report of nephrotic syndrome as a manifestation of chronic GVHD developed after stem-cell transplantation. A review of the cases reported in the literature is also made.

Nephrotic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a late complication of chronic graft-versus-host disease

BACKGROUND

This study aims to determine the incidence and outcome of nephrotic syndrome in patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a single center.

METHODS

Records of 279 adult patients with hematological diseases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were analyzed to evaluate the incidence and outcome of nephrotic syndrome. The diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease was based on clinical evidence with histological confirmation whenever possible.

RESULTS

Of the 279 patients, 105 with a minimum follow-up of 100 days developed chronic graft-versus-host disease: six of these had nephrotic syndrome. The cumulative incidence of nephrotic syndrome was 8% at day +1,681. Patients grafted with peripheral blood stem cells had a higher probability of developing nephrotic syndrome than did those grafted with bone marrow: 24% and 3%, respectively. The pathological diagnosis was membranous glomerulonephritis in four patients, and minimal change disease in one; the diagnosis could not be histologically confirmed in the sixth patient. All patients had extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease and were receiving treatment with cyclosporine A and steroids (four patients). Response to immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A and steroids was achieved in all patients at a median time of 12 weeks after transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease may be considered to be at risk of nephrotic syndrome: careful monitoring of renal function is advisable, particularly in patients receiving allogeneic peripheral stem cell grafts.

Chronic kidney disease in long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment

High-dose myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation is becoming an increasingly common treatment modality for a variety of diseases. Patient survival may be limited by substantial treatment-related toxicities, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the majority of CKD after transplantation is idiopathic, thrombotic microangiopathic syndromes and nephrotic syndrome have been described. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and potential treatment options for the various clinical syndromes that are associated with CKD in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients is reviewed. As the indications for and the numbers of transplants that are performed worldwide increases, so will the burden of CKD. The nephrologists and oncologists will have to work together to identify patients who are at risk for CKD early to prevent its development and progression to end-stage kidney disease.

Nephrotic syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplantation: do glomerular lesions represent renal graft-versus-host disease?

Glomerular disease associated with nephrotic syndrome has rarely been recognized as a distinct complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Case reports in the English and Japanese literature since 1988 have described variable glomerular histology, comprising mainly membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in almost two thirds and minimal change disease (MCD) in nearly one quarter of patients. Review of the literature reveals a close temporal relationship between the development of nephrotic syndrome shortly after cessation of immunosuppression and the diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). An association of glomerular disease with simultaneous GVHD was seen in 47% of patients overall. Nephrotic syndrome followed GVHD within 5 months in 60% of the combined MCD and MGN reports. A decrease in immunosuppressive medication use was linked to nephrotic syndrome occurrence within 9 months in 63% of patients with MCD and MGN. MCD occurred earlier after hematopoietic cell transplantation, was diagnosed sooner after medication change, and exhibited a better prognosis in comparison with MGN. Glomerular lesions after hematopoietic cell transplantation may therefore represent the renal manifestation of GVHD. Further studies are warranted to delineate the pathogenesis of this complication.

Nephrotic syndrome: an under-recognised immune-mediated complication of non-myeloablative allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is an extremely rare complication of myeloablative allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) that usually occurs in association with chronic graft-versus-host disease (C-GVHD). We observed an unexpectedly high incidence of NS in a cohort of 163 consecutive patients undergoing non-myeloablative HCT from a related human leucocyte antigen-compatible donor. Seven patients developed NS at a median 318 d post-transplant (range 119-1203 d; cumulative incidence 6.1%). The median age at onset of NS was 46 years (range 33-59 years); three of the seven patients had no evidence of C-GVHD while four had accompanying limited C-GVHD. At diagnosis, median proteinuria was 16.5 g/24 h (range 3-24 g/24 h). Renal biopsy was performed in four cases and revealed membranous nephropathy. NS was not always associated with other symptoms of C-GVHD, and in contrast to previous reports, usually did not improve with the re-initiation of aggressive immunosuppression, resulting in progressive renal failure necessitating dialysis in three of seven cases. Membranous nephropathy resulting in NS is a previously unrecognised and clinically significant complication of non-myeloablative HCT.

Renal involvement in bone marrow transplantation

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is an effective therapeutic strategy for leukaemic malignancies and depressed bone marrow following cancer. However, its side effects on kidneys have been reported. Some drugs and irradiation are also suggested to be nephrotoxic. It is well known that haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) after BMT develops as late-onset BMT nephropathy. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a possible cause. Radiation nephropathy shows changes that are similar to the histology of HUS. These findings suggest that endothelial damage is closely associated with the pathogenesis of post-BMT nephropathy. Recently, some patients have developed glomerulonephritis accompanied by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after BMT. In these patients immune deposits are found mainly in subepithelium and mesangium equal to those of secondary membranous glomerulonephritis. A murine experimental model of GVHD manifests similar symptoms and histological changes to those of actual patients and may suggest the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis.

Nephrotic syndrome after stem cell transplantation

Nephrotic syndrome occurs rarely after bone marrow transplantation. We describe three patients with myeloid malignancy who developed nephrotic syndrome from 5, 22 and 25 months after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), confirmed by electron microscopy as membranous glomerulonephritis in two and minimal change glomerulonephritis in one. Proteinuria was initially severe in all and clinically distinct from prior graft-vs.-host disease in two patients. While all responded initially to prednisolone and cyclosporine therapy, two recipients with high-risk leukemia developed late solid organ and bone marrow relapse of their disease, which ultimately proved fatal. The third patient remains alive and disease-free with minimal proteinuria off immunosuppressive therapy. Hence, the onset of de novo high-grade proteinuria after allogeneic SCT should prompt renal histological confirmation, and a trial of immunosuppressive therapy after other causes of nephritic syndrome have been excluded.

Successful renal transplantation following prior bone marrow transplantation in pediatric patients

Improving survival rates following pediatric bone marrow transplantation (BMT) will likely result in greater numbers of children progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because of prior chemotherapy, irradiation, sepsis, and exposure to nephrotoxic agents. Renal transplantation remains the treatment of choice for ESRD; however, the safety of renal transplantation in this unique population is not well established. We report our experience with living related renal transplantation in three pediatric patients with ESRD following prior BMT. Two patients with neuroblastoma and ESRD because of BMT nephropathy, and one patient with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia and ESRD because of immune complex mediated glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. Age at time of BMT ranged from 2 to 7 yr. All patients had stable bone marrow function prior to renal transplantation. Age at renal transplant ranged from 8 to 14 yr. All three patients have been managed with conventional immunosuppression, as no patient received a kidney and BMT from the same donor source. These patients are currently 7 months to 6 yr status post-living related transplant. All have functioning bone marrow and kidney transplants, with serum creatinine levels ranging 0.6-1.2 mg/dL. There have been no episodes of rejection. One patient with a history of grade III skin and grade IV gastrointestinal-graft-vs.-host disease (GI-GVHD) prior to transplantation, had a mild flare of GI-GVHD (grade I) post-renal transplant and is currently asymptomatic. The incidence of opportunistic infection has been comparable with our pediatric renal transplant population without prior BMT. One patient was treated for basal cell carcinoma via wide local excision. Renal transplantation is an excellent option for the treatment of pediatric patients with ESRD following BMT. Short-term results in this small population show promising patient and graft survival, however long-term follow-up is needed. Pre-existing immune system impairment and bone marrow function should be taken into consideration when weighing different immunosuppressive agents for renal transplantation. Patients who have undergone renal transplantation following BMT are at high risk for opportunistic infections and malignancy, and need life-long medical surveillance.

[Auto-immune-like disease post-bone marrow transplantation]

INTRODUCTION

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is based on destruction of the patient's bone marrow with rescue of haematopoietic stem cells from a donor. Chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVH) is the major complication post-BMT and mimics some autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, sicca syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis and an increased prevalence of various autoantibodies. Other autoimmune-like manifestations have been reported as case reports or short series. The most common are myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, autoimmune cytopenias and Graves' disease or autoimmune hypothyroidism.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS

These diseases occur mainly in association with chronic GVH. The pathophysiology of chronic GVH and other autoimmune-like diseases post-BMT remains poorly understood. Different mechanisms have been postulated. Most of the autoimmune events (either chronic GVH or more specific diseases) seem to be related to a poor or inadequate immunologic recovery post-BMT with an imbalance between autoregulatory and autoreactive lymphocytes. Microchimerism and molecular mimicry have been recently evocated. A minority of cases (autoimmune thyroid disorders) is attributed to the direct transfer of autoreactive cells from donor to patient (adoptive immunity).

FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Despite physiopathologic uncertainty, these autoimmune-like disorders post-BMT are an interesting model for primary autoimmune diseases.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We describe a 24-year-old man who developed minimal change nephrotic syndrome after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). One year after undergoing allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), this patient presented with proteinuria. He also presented with skin and lip lesions considered to be chronic graft-versus host disease. Observation of renal biopsy specimens by light microscopy revealed minor glomerular abnormalities. However, electron microscopy disclosed focal mesangial interposition, irregular thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and subendothelial loosening. Two years after HSCT, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome. Long use of cyclosporine improved the proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia within 12 months.

Membranous Nephropathy after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Report of 2 Cases

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a rare complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The cases of 2 patients who developed NS after receiving allo-HSCT for chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia are described. In both cases, renal biopsy revealed membranous nephropathy (MN), and the patients achieved remission after treatment with prednisolone. Previously reported cases and our experience suggest that most NS patients show MN in histologic tests after allo-HSCT and that its development is related to graft-versus-host disease. Early treatment with steroids seems effective for resolving symptoms of NS and improving renal function.

Membranous Nephropathy Associated with Donor Lymphocyte Infusion following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation

Nephrotic syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) followed by donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) has never been described. We report the case of a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patient who developed nephrotic syndrome with membranous nephropathy 18 months after allogeneic HSCT and 4 months after DLI. A 50-year-old woman with MDS underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her HLA-matched brother. MDS relapsed 55 days after transplantation, donor lymphocytes were infused as adoptive immunotherapy, and complete remission was achieved. Four months after the third DLI, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria up to 9 g/day. Renal biopsy revealed granular deposits of immunoglobulin G along the glomerular basement membrane, and subepithelial electron-dense deposits. A diagnosis of membranous nephropathy was made. For maintenance of the immunotherapeutic effect of DLI, minimum doses of immunosuppressive therapy for decreasing proteinuria were administered, and improvement of nephrotic syndrome and persistent complete remission of MDS were achieved.

Nephrotic syndrome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation associated with increased production of TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma by donor T cells

SUMMARY

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in the immunological complications of stem cell transplantation (SCT) including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In this report of a patient undergoing allogeneic SCT for AML, serial cytokine measurements by real-time PCR revealed increased production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and TNF-alpha, but not interleukin (IL)-4 in purified T cells following withdrawal of immunosuppression. Cytokine changes were contemporaneous with the onset of nephrotic syndrome (NS), a rare manifestation of GVHD. These findings indicate that serial cytokine monitoring may allow for the prediction of GVHD during immunosuppression withdrawal and lend further insight into the pathogenesis of NS. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2003) 32, 447-450. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704151

Renal function following hematological stem cell transplantation in childhood

Renal function greatly influences mortality rates in the early phase following hematological stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in childhood, as well as the quality of life in long-term survivors. Nevertheless, the number of studies in pediatric populations is limited and some important aspects of kidney function after HSCT have only been elucidated in adults. The incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) immediately after HSCT in pediatric patients is between 25% and 50%, with 5%-10% of children requiring renal replacement therapy. Doubling of serum creatinine is associated with a twofold increase in mortality. However, the need for dialysis leads to a further increase in mortality rates to 80%-90%. Specific renal syndromes appear at different times following HSCT, revealing a similar pattern in children and adult patients. In both children and adults, impaired renal function associated with liver impairment (hepatorenal syndrome) is the most important cause for ARF. Therapeutic approaches have not been able to reduce the frequency or to improve outcome so far. In adults surviving long term, bone marrow transplant (BMT) nephropathy is the most frequent renal complication, although a considerable variation in incidence (up to 70%) has been published, partly due to various definitions and manifestations. Little is known about the long-term outcome of renal function in patients treated with HSCT in childhood. However, chronic renal failure has been reported in 0%-28%, but no end-stage renal failure has been published so far. Tubular function following HSCT is rarely investigated, although its impact on long-term survivors of BMT in childhood might be of some importance, especially for growth and bone metabolism.

Glomerular vasculopathy after unrelated cord blood transplantation

A 1-year-old boy with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis exhibited proteinuria 1 month after unrelated cord blood cell transplantation, which persisted without hematuria. Laboratory study showed an increase of factor VIII-related antigen and total plasminogen activator inhibitor, suggesting endothelial injury. Histological examination of autopsy materials showed increased mesangial matrices and double-contoured basement membranes, and ultrastructurally, swelling of the endothelial cells and widening of the subendothelial space with mesangial interposition. Thrombosis was not observed at any of the sites. This case may be vasculopathy distinct from thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) or a variant form of TMA following blood stem cell transplantation (BSCT). This vasculopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proteinuria in the early stages after BSCT.

Relapse of Graves' disease after successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

As shown in many reports, allogeneic BMT can help cure autoimmune diseases. Conversely, we present a 24-year-old woman with Graves' disease, which was diagnosed just before BMT for CML. The Graves' disease remitted immediately after BMT but relapsed 18 months later. Since the donor was free from thyroid diseases and the patient showed a rapid shift to complete donor chimerism after BMT, the autoimmune problem seemed neither to arise directly from the donor nor simply from the recipient's residual lymphocytes. On the contrary, it was most likely compounded by chronic GVHD as suggested by the accompanying GVHD symptoms and the absolute donor karyotype in bone marrow cells. A Graves' disease-susceptible HLA allele was also shared between recipient and donor, possibly enhancing the chances of this condition developing. Thus, allogeneic BMT may facilitate relapses in autoimmune diseases as well as alleviating them.