Utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an indicator of tumor immune status in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported as a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the underlying biological rationale remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the potential utility of NLR as a surrogate biomarker for immune response to cancer and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

This retrospective study included the medical records of 120 patients with NSCLC who underwent surgery at the study institution in 2012. NLR in peripheral blood was determined from blood test within 30 days before surgery. Tumor immune status was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining to identify CD3+, CD8+ and FOXP3+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and the relationship of NLR, with clinicopathologic characteristics including 5-year overall survival (OS), and the tumor immune status was investigated. The median values of NLR and TIL count were used as cutoff points.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS was significantly better in patients with low NLR (<2.2) than in those with high NLR (≥2.2) (70.1% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.042) and in patients with high CD3+ TIL count (≥242) than in those with low CD3+ TIL count (<242) (70% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.019). Additionally, the CD3+ TIL count was negatively correlated with preoperative NLR (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

NLR might potentially reflect the immune status of tumor microenvironment, explaining its impact on prognosis of patients with NSCLC.

Postoperative Complications in Living Donors for Lung Transplantation

Background

Living donor lobar lung transplantation is a life-saving procedure for critically ill patients. This requires 2 healthy donors exposed to risks and without medical benefit. Therefore, the donor's safety and minimal postoperative complications are crucial. This study aimed to investigate the short-term outcomes and identify the risk factors affecting these outcomes.

Methods

The data of 175 living donors enrolled between 1998 and 2022 were analyzed. Donors were divided into era 1 (1998-2009) and era 2 (2010-2022).

Results

The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 39%, of which 7% were major complications. Donors who underwent surgery on the right side had a higher incidence of delayed pulmonary fistulae (P = 0.01) and elevated liver enzyme levels (P = 0.028). Living donor surgery on the right side (P = 0.01), era 2 (P = 0.01), and the need for plasty (P = 0.04) were predictors of postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Updated data on complications and their correlation with postoperative quality of life from this study could aid in the selection of potential donors and facilitate informed consent.

Effective division of the intersegmental plane using a robotic stapler in robotic pulmonary segmentectomy

PURPOSES

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) segmentectomy is becoming increasingly common because of the expanded indications for segmentectomy and the widespread adoption of robotic surgery. The precise division of the intersegmental plane is necessary to ensure oncologic margins from the tumor and to preserve the lung function. In this study, we present a strategy for accurately dividing the intersegmental plane using a robotic stapler and review the surgical outcomes.

METHODS

RATS portal segmentectomy was performed using the Da Vinci Xi system and the intersegmental plane was dissected using a robotic stapler. We evaluated the perioperative outcomes in 92 patients who underwent RATS portal segmentectomy between May 2020 and January 2023. These results were compared with those of 82 patients who underwent complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (CVATS) during the same period.

RESULTS

The operative and console times were 162 and 97 min, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred, and postoperative complications were observed in four cases (4.3%). The operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and maximum incision size were significantly lower in the RATS group than in the CVATS group. However, RATS requires a significantly higher number of staplers than CVATS.

CONCLUSIONS

The division of the intersegmental plane using a robotic stapler in RATS portal segmentectomy was, therefore, found to be safe and effective.

Restrictive allograft dysfunction rather than bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome had a major impact on the overall survival after living-donor lobar lung transplantation

PURPOSE

Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is a known long-term fatal disorder after lung transplantation. In this study, we evaluated the CLAD classification of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) for living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT).

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective review of data from 73 patients who underwent bilateral LDLLT between 1998 and 2019. Factors related to opacity on computed tomography (CT) and restriction on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 (36%) patients were diagnosed with CLAD, including restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS), n = 10 (38.5%); bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), n = 8 (30.8%); mixed, n = 1 (3.8%); undefined, n = 2 (7.7%); and unclassified, n = 5 (19.2%). The 5-year survival rate after the CLAD onset was 60.7%. The survival of patients with BOS was significantly better than that of patients with RAS (p = 0.012). In particular, patients with restriction on PFT had a significantly worse survival than those without restriction (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CLAD after bilateral LDLLT does not have a major impact on the recipient survival, especially in patients with BOS. Restriction on PFT may predict a particularly poor prognosis in patients with CLAD after bilateral LDLLT.

Impact of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer who suffer radiation pneumonitis during the course of induction chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery

PURPOSE

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is an obstacle for patients after surgery following induction chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). We performed a comparative analysis of the association between clinicopathological factors, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognosis, in LA-NSCLC patients with or without RP during induction chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.

METHODS

The subjects of this analysis were 168 patients undergoing trimodality therapy for LA-NSCLC between January, 1999 and May, 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: the RP group (n = 41) and the non-RP group (n = 127). We compared the clinicopathological factors including the NLR between the groups and analyzed the association between the NLR and prognosis.

RESULTS

The RP group had more patients with tumors located in the lower lobe, more bilobar resections, shorter operative times, no implementation of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and a higher postoperative NLR than the non-RP group. There were no significant differences in serious postoperative complications and the prognosis. Patients with a low postoperative NLR had a significantly better prognosis in the non-RP group, and a trend toward a better prognosis even in the RP group.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative NLR may be a useful prognostic factor, even for patients who suffer RP after trimodality therapy for LA-NSCLC.

Long-term outcomes of lung transplantation requiring renal replacement therapy: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Life-long immunosuppressive therapy after lung transplantation (LT) may lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). We aimed to investigate the characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing LT and requiring RRT.

METHODS

This study was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into the RRT (n = 15) and non-RRT (n = 170) groups. We summarized the clinical features of patients in the RRT group and compared patient characteristics, overall survival, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival between the two groups.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidences of ESRD requiring RRT after LT at 5, 10, and 15 years were 0.8 %, 7.6 %, and 25.2 %, respectively. In the RRT group, all 15 patients underwent hemodialysis but not peritoneal dialysis, and two patients underwent living-donor kidney transplantation. The median follow-up period was longer in the RRT group than in the non-RRT group (P < 0.001). The CLAD-free survival and overall survival did not differ between the two groups. The 5-year survival rate even after the initiation of hemodialysis was 53.3 %, and the leading cause of death in the RRT group was infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Favorable long-term outcomes can be achieved by RRT for ESRD after LT.

Effects of case volume on short- and long-term outcomes following cadaveric lung transplantation in Japan

Background

Despite the low number of lung transplantations (LTs) in Japan, 10 LT facilities are accredited and good outcomes have been reported. A database review was conducted to clarify the impact of case volume at LT facilities in Japan on short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods

All cadaveric LT cases treated between 2000 and 2021 in Japan were analyzed using the database of the Japanese Society of Lung and Heart-Lung Transplantation (JSLHT). The nine institutions represented were categorized into the low-volume (LV; <80 cumulative LT cases, <8 LTs/year, n=5) and high-volume (HV; ≥80 cumulative LT cases, ≥8 LTs/year, n=4) centers. Ninety-day and 1-year mortality, as well as 5- and 10-year survival data were evaluated.

Results

A total of 658 cadaveric LTs were performed at the nine institutions. The 90-day rates of mortality at the HV and LV centers were 3.5% and 3.9%, respectively (P=0.801), while the 1-year mortality rates were 9.2% and 11.5%, respectively (P=0.199). Additionally, log-rank analysis of Kaplan-Meier curves showing case volume did not reveal a significant difference in long-term survival between the HV and LV centers (P=0.272), though the LV centers had wide differences for long-term outcomes (P=0.030).

Conclusions

Case volume did not have effects on short- or long-term outcomes following LT in Japan, while there were large variations in long-term outcomes among the LV centers compared to those of the HV centers.

Plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein in primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation

OBJECTIVES

Histidine-rich glycoprotein has been reported as an anti-inflammatory glycoprotein that inhibits acute lung injury in mice with sepsis and as a prognostic biomarker in patients with sepsis. We investigated the relationship between plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein and the risk of occurrence of primary graft dysfunction.

METHODS

According to the primary graft dysfunction grade at post-transplant 72 h, patients who underwent lung transplantation were divided into three groups: non-primary graft dysfunction group (grade 0-1), moderate primary graft dysfunction group (grade 2), and severe primary graft dysfunction group (grade 3). The plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein measured daily during the first post-transplant 7 days were compared among the three groups. Appropriate cutoff values of the concentrations were set for survival analyses after lung transplantation.

RESULTS

A total of 68 patients were included. The plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration at post-transplant 72 h was significantly lower in the severe primary graft dysfunction group (n = 7) than in the other two groups [non-primary graft dysfunction group (n = 43), P = 0.042; moderate primary graft dysfunction group (n = 18), P = 0.040]. Patients with plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration ≥34.4 µg/ml at post-transplant 72 h had significantly better chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival (P = 0.012) and overall survival (P = 0.037) than those with the concentration <34.4 µg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentrations at post-transplant 72 h might be associated with the risk of development of primary graft dysfunction.

In vivo lung perfusion for prompt recovery from primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

No proven treatment after the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is currently available. Here, we established a novel strategy of in vivo lung perfusion (IVLP) for the treatment of PGD. IVLP involves the application of an in vivo isolated perfusion circuit to an implanted lung. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of IVLP vs conventional post-lung transplant (LTx) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment using an experimental swine LTx PGD model.

METHODS

After 1.5-hour warm ischemia of the donor lungs, a left LTx was performed. Following the confirmation of PGD development, pigs were divided into 3 groups (n = 5 each): control (no intervention), ECMO, and IVLP. After 2 hours of treatment, a 4-hour functional assessment was conducted, and samples were obtained.

RESULTS

Significantly better oxygenation was achieved in the IVLP group (p ≤ 0.001). Recovery was confirmed immediately and maintained during the following 4-hour observation. The IVLP group also demonstrated better lung compliance than the control group (p = 0.045). A histologic evaluation showed that the lung injury score and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay showed significantly fewer injuries and a better result in the wet-to-dry weight ratio in the IVLP group.

CONCLUSIONS

A 2-hour IVLP is technically feasible and allows for prompt recovery from PGD after LTx. The posttransplant short-duration IVLP strategy can complement or overcome the limitations of the current practice for donor assessment and PGD management.

Impact of changes in skeletal muscle mass and quality during the waiting time on outcomes of lung transplantation

INTRODUCTION

The association of changes in skeletal muscle mass and quality during the waiting time with outcomes of lung transplantation (LT) remains unclear. We aimed to examine the association of changes in skeletal muscle mass and quality during the waiting time, as well as preoperative skeletal muscle mass and quality, with outcomes of LT.

METHODS

This study included individuals who underwent LT from brain-dead donors. Skeletal muscle mass (cm2 /m2 ) and quality (mean Hounsfield units [HU]) of the erector spinae muscle at the 12th thoracic level were evaluated using computed tomography. Preoperative skeletal muscle mass and quality, and their changes during the waiting time were calculated. We evaluated the associations among mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, 6-minute walk distance at discharge, and 5-year survival after LT.

RESULTS

This study included 98 patients. The median waiting time was 594.5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 355.0-913.0). The median changes in skeletal muscle mass and quality were -4.4% (IQR, -13.3-3.1) and -2.9% (IQR, -16.0-4.1), respectively. Severe low skeletal muscle mass at LT was associated with prolonged ICU LOS (B = 8.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .51-16.42) and hospital LOS (B = 36.00, 95% CI: 3.23-68.78). Pronounced decrease in skeletal muscle mass during the waiting time was associated with prolonged MV duration (B = 7.85, 95% CI: .89-14.81) and ICU LOS (B = 7.97, 95% CI: .83-15.10).

CONCLUSION

Maintaining or increasing skeletal muscle mass during the waiting time would be beneficial to improve the short-term outcomes of LT.

Prognostic Impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, Tertiary Lymphoid Structures, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Pulmonary Metastases from Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in tumor tissue has been related to the prognosis in various malignancies. Meanwhile, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a systemic inflammation marker also has been associated with the prognosis in them. However, few reports have investigated the relationship between pulmonary metastases from sarcoma and these biomarkers.

METHODS

We retrospectively recruited 102 patients undergoing metastasectomy for pulmonary metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma at Okayama University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2019. TILs and TLSs were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of surgically resected specimens of pulmonary metastases using anti-CD3/CD8/CD103/Foxp3/CD20 antibodies. NLR was calculated from the blood examination immediately before the most recent pulmonary metastasectomy. We elucidated the relationship between the prognosis and these factors. Because we considered that the status of tumor tissue and systemic inflammation were equally valuable, we also assessed the impact of the combination of TILs or TLSs and NLR on the prognosis.

RESULTS

As for TILs, CD3-positive cells and CD8-positive cells were correlated with the prognosis. The prognosis was significantly better in patients with CD3-high group, CD8-high group, TLSs-high group, and NLR-low group, respectively. The prognosis of CD8-high/NLR-low group and TLSs-high/NLR-low group was significantly better than that of CD8-low/NLR-high group and TLSs-low/NLR-high group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CD3-positive TILs, CD8-positive TILs, TLSs, and NLR are correlated with the prognosis, respectively. The combination of CD8-positive TILs or TLSs and NLR may be the indicators to predict the prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Elderly lung transplant recipients show acceptable long-term outcomes for lung transplantation: A propensity score-matched analysis

PURPOSE

Although the performance lung transplantation (LTx) in the elderly (≥ 60 years) has increased globally, the situation in Japan remains quite different, because the age limit at registration for cadaveric transplantation is 60 years. We investigated the long-term outcomes of LTx in the elderly in Japan.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective study. We divided the patients into two groups according to age: the younger group (< 60 years; Y group; n = 194) and the elderly group (≥ 60 years; E group; n = 10). We performed three-to-one propensity score matching to compare the long-term survival between the E and Y groups.

RESULTS

In the E group, the survival rate was significantly worse (p = 0.003), and single-LTx was more frequent (p = 0.036). There was a significant difference in the indications for LTx between the two groups (p < 0.001). The 5-year survival rate after single-LTx in the E group was significantly lower than that in the Y group (p = 0.006). After propensity score matching, the 5-year survival rates of the two groups were comparable (p = 0.55). However, the 5-year survival rate after single-LTx in the E group was significantly lower than that in the Y group (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients showed acceptable long-term survival after LTx.

Percentage of low attenuation area on computed tomography detects chronic lung allograft dysfunction, especially bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, after bilateral lung transplantation

INTRODUCTION

The percentage of low attenuation area (%LAA) on computed tomography (CT) is useful for evaluating lung emphysema, and higher %LAA was observed in patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). This study investigated the relationship between the %LAA and the development of CLAD after bilateral lung transplantation (LT).

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 75 recipients who underwent bilateral LT; the recipients were divided into a CLAD group (n = 30) and a non-CLAD group (n = 45). The %LAA was calculated using CT and compared between the two groups from 4 years before to 4 years after the diagnosis of CLAD. The relationships between the %LAA and the percent baseline values of the pulmonary function test parameters were also calculated.

RESULTS

The %LAA was significantly higher in the CLAD group than in the non-CLAD group from 2 years before to 2 years after the diagnosis of CLAD (P < .05). In particular, patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) exhibited significant differences even from 4 years before to 4 years after diagnosis (P < .05). Significant negative correlations between the %LAA and the percent baseline values of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = -.36, P = .0031), the forced vital capacity (r = -.27, P = .027), and the total lung capacity (r = -.40, P < .001) were seen at the time of CLAD diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The %LAA on CT was associated with the development of CLAD and appears to have the potential to predict CLAD, especially BOS, after bilateral LT.

Prognostic factors for lung transplant recipients focusing on age and gender: the Japanese lung transplantation report 2022

PURPOSE

To clarify the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on the survival of recipients before and after lung transplantation in the Japanese population.

METHODS

Patients' data were collected for retrospective analysis from all authorized lung transplant centers in Japan. We included 1963 patients listed for lung transplantation by the end of December 2021, comprised of 658 deceased-donor and 270 living-donor lung transplants.

RESULTS

Primary disease had a significant impact on the mortality of patients waiting for transplantation. The indications for transplant significantly affected the post-transplant survival rate of deceased-donor lung transplant recipients. The recipient's age also significantly affected the post-transplant survival rate of the deceased-donor and living-donor lung transplant recipients. The recipients of grafts transplanted from donors aged 61 years or older showed a worse post-transplant survival rate (≧60 years old). The survival rate for the combination of a female donor to a male recipient among the deceased-donor lung transplant recipients was the worst among the four combinations.

CONCLUSION

The donor and recipient characteristics significantly impacted the survival of recipients after lung transplantation. The underlying mechanism of the negative impact of the gender mismatch of female donor to male recipient on post-transplant survival needs to be investigated further.

Long-term management and outcome of lung transplantation in Japan

The long-term survival after lung transplantation (LT) is favorable in Japan. However, long-term survivors after LT are subject to late complications, including chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), malignancy, infection, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of the need for lifelong immunosuppression. The rates of single cadaveric LT (CLT) and living-donor lobar LT (LDLLT) are higher than that of bilateral CLT in Japan. Here, we will describe the management of late complications and long-term outcome after LT in Japan. Attention should be paid to not only the phenotype of CLAD but also the difference in CLAD after CLT and after LDLLT as well as the timing of lung re-transplantation for advanced CLAD, especially after single CLT. Since post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is the most common malignancy after LT, infection monitoring for infection-related malignancies and appropriate screening are keys to the early diagnosis and treatment of malignancy after LT. The long-term management of infection after LT is also important, especially with regard to community-acquired pathogens, Aspergillus, and cytomegalovirus. When providing long-term care after LT, physicians should be aware of CKD and the timing of renal replacement therapy in cases with severe CKD. The widespread use of computed tomography and dialysis in Japan are beneficial for long-term survivors of LT. The similar survival outcomes of single CLT and LDLLT, compared with bilateral CLT, might contribute to improved long-term survival in Japan. Pulmonologists are encouraged to become further involved in long-term management after LT in Japan.

Successful management of temporary veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for a pediatric lung transplant recipient with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome awaiting lung re-transplantation: a case report

BACKGROUND

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation is an uncommon strategy in Japan owing to the severe donor shortage and absence of urgent allocation policy. Moreover, the use of veno-venous (VV) ECMO for immunosuppressed patients is controversial; thus, applying ECMO to patients who await lung re-transplantation is challenging.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 16-year-old lung transplant recipient with grade 3 bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was waitlisted for lung re-transplantation. Eleven months later, he fell into severe respiratory acidosis with hypercapnia, which were not resolved with mechanical ventilation. VV ECMO was introduced to minimize lung stress and strain. Tracheostomy was additionally performed on day 5 after the start of ECMO, and respiratory condition swiftly improved; hence, the weaning process from VV ECMO began on day 9. Rehabilitation became implementable, and bilateral re-lung transplantation was successfully performed 6 months after the ECMO treatment. No critical complication related to the precedent use of ECMO was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

VV ECMO can be a feasible treatment option even for lung transplant candidates awaiting re-transplantation for a prolonged period. Introduction of ECMO and tracheostomy in the early deterioration stage may be crucial to successful subsequent patient management.

S100A8/A9 as a prognostic biomarker in lung transplantation

OBJECTIVES

S100A8/A9 is a damage-associated molecule that augments systemic inflammation. However, its role in the acute phase after lung transplantation (LTx) remains elusive. This study aimed to determine S100A8/A9 levels after lung transplantation (LTx) and evaluate their impact on overall survival (OS) and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival.

METHODS

Sixty patients were enrolled in this study, and their plasma S100A8/A9 levels were measured on days 0, 1, 2, and 3 after LTx. The association of S100A8/A9 levels with OS and CLAD-free survival was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

S100A8/A9 levels were elevated in a time-dependent manner until 3 days after LTx. Ischemic time was significantly longer in the high S100A8/9 group than in the low S100A8/A9 group (p = .017). Patients with high S100A8/A9 levels (> 2844 ng/mL) had worse prognosis (p = .031) and shorter CLAD-free survival (p = .045) in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis than those with low levels. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high S100A8/A9 levels were a determinant of poor OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-12; p = .028) and poor CLAD-free survival (HR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1-15; p = .03). In patients with a low primary graft dysfunction grade (0-2), a high level of S100A8/A9 was also a poor prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided novel insights into the role of S100A8/A9 as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for LTx.

Identification of genetic loci associated with renal dysfunction after lung transplantation using an ethnic-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism array

Renal dysfunction is a long-term complication associated with an increased mortality after lung transplantation (LT). We investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the development of renal dysfunction after LT using a Japanese-specific SNP array. First, eligible samples of 34 LT recipients were genotyped using the SNP array and divided into two groups, according to the presence of homozygous and heterozygous combinations of mutant alleles of the 162 renal-related SNPs. To identify candidate SNPs, the renal function tests were compared between the two groups for each SNP. Next, we investigated the association between the candidate SNPs and the time course of changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the 99 recipients until 10 years after the LT. ΔeGFR was defined as the difference between the postoperative and preoperative eGFR values. Eight SNPs were identified as the candidate SNPs in the 34 recipients. Validation analysis of these 8 candidate SNPs in all the 99 recipients showed that three SNPs, namely, rs10277115, rs4690095, and rs792064, were associated with significant changes of the ΔeGFR. Pre-transplant identification of high-risk patients for the development of renal dysfunction after LT based on the presence of these SNPs might contribute to providing personalized medicine.

Endobronchial Metastasis with Bloody Sputum 20 Years after Complete Resection of type A Non-Invasive Thymoma

Masaoka stage I type A thymomas rarely recur. We report the case of an 82-year-old man who developed endobronchial metastasis after thymothymectomy for Masaoka stage I type A thymoma. Twenty years after surgery, the patient developed bloody sputum, and chest computed tomography revealed a neoplasm obstructing the right upper lobe bronchus of the lung with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. He underwent right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. Although preoperative pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, postoperative histopathology revealed endobronchial metastasis of the thymoma. Nine years later, at age 89, the patient is alive and well.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after lung transplantation: Two case reports and literature review

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) affecting transplanted lungs is not well recognized. Herein, we report two cases of PAP after lung transplantation (LTx). The first case was a 4-year-old boy with hereditary pulmonary fibrosis who underwent bilateral LTx and presented with respiratory distress on postoperative day (POD) 23. He was initially treated for acute rejection, died due to infection on POD 248, and was diagnosed with PAP at autopsy. The second case involved a 52-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who underwent bilateral LTx. On POD 99, chest computed tomography revealed ground-glass opacities. Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy led to a diagnosis of PAP. Follow-up with immunosuppression tapering resulted in clinical and radiological improvement. PAP after lung transplantation mimics common acute rejection; however, is potentially transient or resolved with tapering immunosuppression, as observed in the second case. Transplant physicians should be aware of this rare complication to avoid misconducting immunosuppressive management.

Diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-21 in chronic lung allograft dysfunction after bilateral cadaveric and living-donor lobar lung transplantation

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis have been shown to be associated with the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) after lung transplantation (LT). We investigated the role of circulating miRNAs in the diagnosis of CLAD after bilateral LT, including cadaveric LT (CLT) and living-donor lobar LT (LDLLT).

Methods

The subjects of this retrospective study were 37 recipients of bilateral CLT (n = 23) and LDLLT (n = 14), and they were divided into a non-CLAD group (n = 24) and a CLAD group (n = 13). The plasma miRNA levels of the two groups were compared, and correlations between their miRNAs levels and percent baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and total lung capacity (TLC) values were calculated from one year before to one year after the diagnosis of CLAD.

Results

The plasma levels of both miR-21 and miR-155 at the time of the diagnosis of CLAD were significantly higher in the CLAD group than in the non-CLAD group (miR-21, P = 0.0013; miR-155, P = 0.042). The miR-21 levels were significantly correlated with the percent baseline FEV1, FVC, and TLC value of one year before and at the time of diagnosis of CLAD (P < 0.05). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the performance of miR-21 levels in the diagnosis of CLAD yielded an area under the curve of 0.89.

Conclusion

Circulating miR-21 appears to be of potential value in diagnosing CLAD after bilateral LT.

Donor's long-term quality of life following living-donor lobar lung transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Living-donor lobar lung transplantation is an alternative procedure to deceased donation lung transplantation. It involves graft donation from healthy donors; however, only a few reports have discussed its long-term prognosis in living lung donors and their associated health-related quality of life. This study aimed to examine living lung donors' health-related quality of life.

METHODS

In our cross-sectional survey of living lung donors, we assessed health-related quality of life-based on three key aspects (physical, mental, and social health) using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. We also evaluated chronic postoperative pain and postoperative breathlessness using the numeric rating scale and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea scale, respectively.

RESULTS

We obtained consent from 117 of 174 living lung donors. The average scores of the living lung donors on the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were higher than the national average. However, some donors had poorer physical, mental, and social health, with lower summary scores than the national averages. Low mental component summary predictors included donor age (<40 years; odds ratio = 10.2; p < .001) and recipient age (<18 years; odds ratio = 2.73; p < .032). Low role-social component summary predictors included high lung allocation score (≥50; odds ratio = 3.94, p < .002) and recipient death (odds ratio = 3.64; p = .005). There were no predictors for a physical component summary. Additionally, many donors did not complain of pain or dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Living lung donors maintained an acceptable long-term health-related quality of life after surgery. Potential donors should be informed of relevant risk factors, and high-risk donors should receive appropriate support.

The impact of prognostic nutrition index on the waitlist mortality of lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The prognostic nutrition index (PNI), calculated using serum albumin and total lymphocyte count, is a recent topical index related to inflammation. Preoperative PNI is regarded as a new preoperative prognostic score in lung transplantation (LTx). This study aimed to investigate the impact of PNI at the time of registration as a prognostic parameter of mortality on the waiting list for LTx.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on the data of 132 adult patients registered for LTx in our department between January 2013 and June 2020. Patients who finally received LTx were analyzed as censored data. The overall survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method for pre-registered clinical factors including the PNI at the time of registration. Overall survival was calculated from the date of listing to the Japan Organ Transplant Network to the date of death.

RESULTS

The low-PNI group had a significantly worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (p = 0.023), idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (p < 0.001), lung allocation score (LAS) (p < 0.001), and PNI (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for waitlist mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI at the time of registration can be an independent prognostic parameter in registered candidates for LTx.

Survival and prognostic factors in patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for lung metastases from retroperitoneal sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Soft-tissue sarcomas are rare malignancies that consist of many different histologic subtypes and arise in various locations in the body. In patients with lung metastases from retroperitoneal sarcomas, the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors are unknown. This study is a retrospective review of patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for retroperitoneal sarcoma metastases at one institution, with the purpose of determining prognostic factors and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for lung metastases from various sarcomas at Okayama University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2018. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for the analyses, and cut-off values of continuous variables were determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients underwent the first pulmonary metastasectomy for lung metastases from retroperitoneal sarcoma in our hospital. Leiomyosarcoma was the most common histologic subtype of retroperitoneal sarcoma (79.2%, n = 19). Median overall survival was 49.9 months, and the 3-year and 5-year survival rates after the first pulmonary metastasectomy were 62.5% and 26.4% respectively. In univariate analysis, age ≥56 years, disease-free interval < 15 months, and size of metastasis (≥ 27 mm) were associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary metastasectomy can be considered as an effective management strategy in retroperitoneal sarcoma patients with lung metastases in appropriately selected cases, just as it is for other sarcomas.

[Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction after Living-donor Lobar Lung Transplantation]

Long-term survival after living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) is hampered by the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction( CLAD), similar to the clinical courses seen in some recipients of cadaveric lung transplantation( CLT). CLAD after bilateral LDLLT has been shown to be characterized by the development in the unilateral lung due to differences in the immunological features of the two donors. Based on this characteristic, we found that lung perfusion scintigraphy, which can show a perfusion shift to the contralateral unaffected lung with the development of CLAD, had the potential to predict unilateral CLAD after bilateral LDLLT. Moreover, we found that CLAD, especially restrictive allograft syndrome, developed significantly later after bilateral LDLLT than after bilateral CLT, although the CLAD-free survival and overall survival after bilateral LDLLT were similar to those after bilateral CLT. We describe our experience of CLAD after bilateral LDLLT since the first case of LDLLT in Japan.

Paediatric lung transplantation: the impact of age on the survival

OBJECTIVES

We herein review the outcomes of paediatric lung transplantation (LTx) and analyse subgroups divided by age.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 43 consecutive paediatric LTx recipients (< 18 years old: cadaveric LTx [n = 9], living-donor lobar LTx [n = 34]). We also analysed subgroups of patients 1-6 years old (n = 10) and 7-17 years old (n = 33).

RESULTS

The 1-, 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates in paediatric recipients were 93%, 82% and 67%, respectively. The 1-, 5- and 10-year graft dysfunction (GD)-free survival rates in paediatric recipients were 85%, 59% and 31%, respectively. The 1- and 5-year OS in the 1- to 6-year-old vs. 7- to 17-year-old groups were 70% vs. 100% and 48% vs. 93%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The 1- and 5-year GD-free survival rates in the 1- to 6-year-old vs. 7- to 17-year-old groups were 60% vs. 93% and 24% vs. 69%, respectively (p = 0.024). The 1- to 6-year-old group showed higher rates of non-standard LTx (p = 0.0001), interstitial pneumonia (p = 0.004) and ventilator dependency (p = 0.007) than the 7- to 17-year-old group.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric recipients under 7 years old seemed to have a higher risk of mortality and GD than those 7 years old and older.

Completely Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Congenital Lobar Emphysema in a Young Adult

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is defined as the hyperinflation of pulmonary lobes due to obstruction of the flow of air via a known or unknown etiology, which causes pressure symptoms in the adjacent organs. CLE is mainly diagnosed in the neonatal period, and very few adult cases have been reported. Here we report a 34-year-old male with muscular dystrophy who was diagnosed with CLE on examination. He underwent a right lower lobectomy via 3-portal completely video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and his symptoms improved. Thoracoscopic surgery helped preserve the respiratory muscles and led to the improvement of respiratory function in this patient.

Acute Pulmonary Edema Due to Arteriovenous Shunt Placement after Lung Transplant

Lung transplant recipients are often complicated by immunosuppressant-induced nephropathy, which may require renal replacement therapy. We report a case of unilateral lung edema and pulmonary hypertension due to arteriovenous fistula placement in a patient with unilateral chronic lung allograft dysfunction after bilateral living-donor lobar lung transplantation. Lung transplant recipients with limited residual vascular beds, such as lobar graft or severe deviation in lung perfusion, are vulnerable to the acute increase in blood flow due to arteriovenous fistula placement and can easily develop pulmonary edema regardless of the left ventricular function. Hence, careful volume control is required.

Lung recruitment after cardiac arrest during procurement of atelectatic donor lungs is a protective measure in lung transplantation

Background

Brain-dead donors are susceptible to pulmonary atelectasis (AT). In procurement surgery, lung recruitment under circulatory conditions and cold-flushing for atelectatic donor lungs often provoke graft injury due to the acute blood inflow. We hypothesized that lung recruitment without blood circulation can mitigate graft injury. This study aimed to examine the benefits of lung recruitment subsequent to cardiac arrest using a porcine lung-transplant model.

Methods

Thirteen donor pigs were categorized into the non-atelectatic (No-AT) group (n=3) representing a healthy control group; AT-BCR group (n=5), in which AT was reverted by conventional blood-circulated recruitment (BCR); and AT-no-BCR group (n=5), in which AT was reverted by no-BCR following circulatory arrest. In the atelectatic donor models, the left main bronchus was ligated for 24 hours prior to lung procurement. Left lung transplantation (LTx) was subsequently performed in the thirteen recipient pigs. After 6 hours evaluation, the recipients were euthanized and the lung grafts were excised.

Results

The post-transplant PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio was significantly higher in the AT-no-BCR group than in the AT-BCR group (P=0.015). Wet/dry ratio, histological findings of graft injury and tissue interleukin-8 expression in the AT-no-BCR group were similar to those of the No-AT group.

Conclusions

Lung recruitment without circulation after circulatory arrest could be more protective for atelectatic donor lung than the conventional procedure.

Pulmonary Enteric Adenocarcinoma Harboring a BRAF G469V Mutation

Pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma (PEAC) is a rare subtype of lung cancer that should be differentiated from colorectal cancer metastasis. Little is known about its genetic background. An 84-year-old male with adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent left upper lobectomy. The histology of the surgical specimen was suggestive of PEAC. Gastrointestinal and colorectal fiberscopy revealed no evidence of colorectal cancer. Next-generation sequencing of the tumor identified a G469V substitution in serine/threonine-protein kinase B-raf (BRAF). Based on the higher prevalence of the G469 substitution in BRAF-mutant lung adenocarcinoma than in BRAFmutant colorectal cancer, the tumor likely originated from the lung. Identification of mutational genotype may be of some help in distinguishing PEAC from the lung metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Meticulous closure of collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura to control intraoperative bleeding during lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension

Background

Massive blood transfusion compensating hemorrhage during lung transplantation (LT) results in primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and worse outcomes after LT. Collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura could be the source of hemorrhage during LT in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of closure with hemoclips of the vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura on the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage and outcomes after LT in patients with PH.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 80 patients who underwent LT, including 13 patients with primary PH, 29 patients with secondary PH, and 38 patients with non-PH.

Results

The median number of hemoclips was significantly higher in the primary PH group than in the non-PH group (P=0.0045) or secondary PH group (P=0.0060). The intraoperative blood loss, transfusion volume, maximum PGD grade, and the 30-day and 90-day mortality rates in the primary PH group were equivalent to those in the other two groups.

Conclusions

Meticulous closure of collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura during LT in patients with primary PH allowed intraoperative hemorrhage to be controlled and might be associated with acceptable mortality rate in these patients similar to that of LT in patients with other diseases.

Long-term outcomes of living-donor lobar lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Although living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) enables an intermediate survival similar to cadaveric lung transplantation, the long-term outcome remains unknown. We examined the long-term outcomes of 30 patients who received LDLLT more than 16 years previously.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 30 patients who underwent LDLLT (bilateral LDLLT, 29 patients; single LDLLT, 1 pediatric patient) between October 1998 and April 2004.

RESULTS

LDLLT was performed for 25 female and 5 male patients ranging in age from 8 to 55 years. The diagnoses included pulmonary hypertension (n = 11), pulmonary fibrosis (n = 7), bronchiolitis obliterans (n = 5), and others (n = 7). At a median follow-up of 205 months, 22 patients were alive and 8 were dead. The causes of death were infection (n = 3), malignancy (n = 2), acute rejection (n = 2), and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD; n = 1). Unilateral CLAD occurred in 17 patients (56.7%), but only 1 of these patients subsequently developed bilateral CLAD. Two patients underwent bilateral cadaveric lung retransplantations. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year CLAD-free survival rates were 80.0%, 62.8%, and 44.3%, respectively. Malignancy occurred in 7 patients. Two of 5 patients with chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis underwent living-donor kidney transplantation. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year overall survival rates were 96.7%, 86.7%, and 73.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although only 2 lobes are implanted, LDLLT provides encouraging long-term outcomes. In patients with unilateral CLAD, the functioning contralateral graft might contribute to a favorable long-term outcome.

Effect of preoperative long-term use of corticosteroids on the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after lung transplantation: a single-center experience in Japan

PURPOSE

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a major complication of lung transplantation (LTx). However, few studies on PTLD in Asian populations have been reported. We explored the characteristics of Japanese PTLD cases after LTx.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 195 cases of LTx at our institute. We summarized the clinical experiences of 7 PTLD cases and analyzed the patient characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with (n = 7) and without (n = 188) PTLD.

RESULTS

All PTLD patients were taking corticosteroids preoperatively (p = 0.0030), and the duration of preoperative corticosteroid therapy was significantly longer in the PTLD group (p = 0.0064) than in the non-PTLD group. The overall survival after LTx was significantly worse in the PTLD group (p = 0.027) than in the non-PLTD group. Among the three patients who died within 1 year after the PTLD onset, two died of opportunistic infections without residual PTLD lesions. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) or bronchiolitis obliterans at an autopsy were diagnosed after PTLD treatment in four cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term preoperative corticosteroid therapy may be a risk factor for PTLD after LTx. Opportunistic infections are lethal complications of PTLD, regardless of the effectiveness of PTLD treatment. CLAD occurs at a high rate after PTLD treatment, and close monitoring is required.

Protective effects of anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody on lung ischemia reperfusion injury in mice

During ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a chromatin binding protein, is released from necrotic cells and triggers inflammatory responses. We assessed the therapeutic effect of a neutralizing anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) on lung IR injury. A murine hilar clamp model of IR was used, where mice were divided into sham and IR groups with intravenous administration of anti-HMGB 1 mAb or control mAb. We analyzed the effect of anti-HMGB1 mAb against IR injury by assessing lung oxygenation, lung injury score, neutrophil infiltration, expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and measurement of apoptotic cells. Anti-HMGB1 mAb significantly decreased the plasma level of HMGB1 elevated by IR. The severity of IR injury represented by oxygenation capacity, lung injury score, and neutrophil infiltration was significantly improved by anti-HMGB1 mAb treatment. The expression of proinflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, CXCL-1, and CXCL-2, and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were both significantly reduced by anti-HMGB1 mAb treatment. Furthermore, anti-HMGB1 mAb treatment suppressed apoptosis, as determined through TUNEL assays. Overall, anti-HMGB1 mAb ameliorated lung IR injury by reducing inflammatory responses and apoptosis. Our findings indicate that anti-HMGB1 mAb has potential for use as a therapeutic to improve IR injury symptoms during lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation for idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease: potential efficacy and tolerability of a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare polyclonal lymphoproliferative disease caused by the overrepresentation of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the IL-6 receptor and is approved for the treatment of iMCD. The efficacy and tolerability of TCZ in patients with iMCD undergoing lung transplantation (LTx) remain unknown.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 48-year-old iMCD patient with end-stage lung disease (ESLD) who was successfully treated with cadaveric single-LTx. Intravenous TCZ was used to stabilize the iMCD patient every 2 weeks, except for withdrawal immediately after LTx. At 32 month post-transplant, the patient remained asymptomatic without evidence of rejection, development of de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA), and recurrent iMCD in the native lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-LTx can be a feasible treatment option for ESLD caused by iMCD. TCZ can be used safely and may be beneficial in recipients with iMCD, and TCZ in combination with usual immunosuppression can be helpful in stabilizing iMCD patients pre- and post-LTx.

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for severe incomplete interlober fissure

An incomplete interlobar fissure makes thoracoscopic lobectomy difficult and is predictive of morbidity after thoracoscopic lobectomy. This report demonstrates the robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) lobectomy technique for patients with severe incomplete interlobar fissures. A fissureless approach was chosen for pulmonary resection. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging with intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) was used to detect the interlobar line after transection of the bronchus, pulmonary artery and vein. Interlobar fissure was identified and divided by robotic staplers. This combined technique using ICG and fissureless lobectomy made RATS lobectomy safe for patients with severe incomplete interlobar fissures.

Emphysematous changes and lower levels of plasma irisin are associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after bilateral living-donor lobar lung transplantation

PURPOSE

Decreased irisin levels may be associated with the development of emphysema. Similarly, emphysematous changes may develop in patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) after living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT). We investigated the severity of emphysematous changes and the relationship between irisin levels and CLAD after bilateral LDLLT and cadaveric lung transplantation (CLT).

METHODS

The subjects of this retrospective study were 59 recipients of bilateral LDLLT (n = 31) or CLT (n = 28), divided into a non-CLAD group (n = 41), a LDLLT-CLAD group (n = 11), and a CLT-CLAD group (n = 7). We compared the severity of emphysematous changes, the skeletal muscle mass, and the plasma irisin levels among the groups.

RESULTS

The emphysematous changes were significantly more severe in the LDLLT-CLAD and CLT-CLAD groups (p = 0.046 and 0.036), especially in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), than in the non-CLAD group. Although the skeletal muscle mass was similar in all the groups, the plasma irisin levels were significantly lower in the LDLLT-CLAD group (p = 0.022), especially in the patients with BOS after LDLLT, than in the non-CLAD group.

CONCLUSION

Emphysematous changes and lower levels of plasma irisin were associated with CLAD, especially in patients with BOS, after bilateral LDLLT.

Lung transplantation for bronchiectasis due to hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome

Hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is one of the primary immunodeficiencies characterized by recurrent staphylococcal skin and lung infections that result in lung destruction and critically diminished pulmonary function. Despite the lack of definitive treatment, there have been no reports of successful lung transplantation (LTx) for HIES patients. We report the case of a 42-year-old female HIES patient with progressive bronchiectasis whose pulmonary infection was controlled prior to transplantation and subsequent LTx was uneventful. LTx may be feasible in HIES if the patient is immunologically stable preoperatively, and peri-operative infections, especially Aspergillus infections, are well-controlled.

"Hybrid Lung Transplantation" Combining Living Donor and Cadaveric Lung Transplants: Report of 2 Cases

We present 2 cases of "hybrid lung transplant," which included sequentially implanting a living lobar graft to 1 side and a cadaveric graft to the other side. This procedure was approved by the institutional review board at Okayama University Hospital. The 2 recipients were diagnosed with severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and living donor lobar lung transplant was considered; however, 2 appropriate donors were not available. Therefore, we accepted extended criteria donor lungs with a partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio of <251 mm Hg. However, 1 of the 2 patients developed grade 2 primary graft dysfunction. The living donor lobar lung had a low volume but was in good condition, which contributed to the patient's recovery after primary graft dysfunction during the perioperative period. The other patient's status of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome had gradually progressed to grade 3, and only the living donor lung was functioning at that time. However, both patients are alive 5.5 and 4.2 years after lung transplant, respectively. Hybrid lung transplantation may increase patients' chances of receiving transplants because patients are not likely to survive while waiting for ideal donor lungs to become available.

Circulating anti-human leukocyte antigen IgM antibodies as a potential early predictor of allograft rejection and a negative clinical outcome after lung transplantation

PURPOSE

Anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) immunoglobulin (Ig) M production stimulated by an alloantigen is sensitive, making IgM a novel potential marker of allorejection after organ transplantation. This study examined the relationship between the serum levels of anti-HLA IgM early after clinical lung transplantation (LTx) and the post-transplant outcomes.

METHODS

Thirty-one consecutive patients who underwent deceased LTx were included. Immunoreactivity against HLA was retrospectively analyzed by measuring the anti-HLA IgM levels in the serum sampled for the first 14 days after LTx. The flow panel reactive antibody technique was used. The ratio of the anti-class I IgM level at each day to baseline was obtained, and the peak IgM level was determined for each case. The correlation between the peak IgM level and subsequent development of acute rejection (AR), chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), and survival outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

The peak IgM level was a significant risk factor for AR within 90 days in univariate and multivariate analyses. In the long term, the patients with positive IgM (peak level > 1.8) tended to have a poorer CLAD-free and overall survival than those with negative IgM.

CONCLUSION

Elevation of anti-HLA IgM levels early after LTx may be correlated with a higher incidence of rejection and negative clinical outcomes.