Anthracycline-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment in adults with malignant posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder after solid organ transplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recommended first-line treatment for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is reduction in immunosuppressive therapy, irrespective of histopathological type. Second-line treatment with chemotherapy is generally reserved for tumors that fail to respond to reduced immunosuppression. In view of the similarities between monomorphic PTLD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the general population, our policy is to treat monomorphic PTLD with anthracycline-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment.

METHODS:

A retrospective single-center analysis of 18 adults who developed PTLD following liver or kidney transplantation was undertaken, with particular emphasis on tumor histology, treatment received, and clinical outcome.

RESULTS:

Of the 18 patients with PTLD, 13 had high-grade malignant lymphoma on diagnostic biopsy and received anthracycline-based chemotherapy and reduction in immunosuppression as first-line therapy. Nine (69%) of the 13 patients achieved complete remission and eight (62%) remained in complete remission five years after diagnosis. There was no graft loss from rejection or drug toxicity. Four (22%) patients had polymorphic PTLD on diagnostic biopsy (of which two were re-classified as monomorphic) and one had a low-grade malignant lymphoma. All five patients were treated by reduction in immunosuppression without chemotherapy and were in complete remission at a median of two years after diagnosis. Overall, complete remission was seen in 14 out of 18 patients (78%) at one year following diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

The use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy and reduction of immunosuppression as first-line treatment in adults with monomorphic PTLD is well tolerated and achieves sustained complete remission in around 70% of patients with a low risk of graft loss.

• Authors: Anna L Taylor, Kristian M Bowles, Christopher J Callaghan, Jenny Z Wimperis, John W Grant, Robert E Marcus, J Andrew Bradley
• Journal: Transplantation (Transplantation) Vol. 82 Issue 3 Pg. 375-81 (Aug 15 2006) ISSN: 0041-1337 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16906036 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anthracyclines

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anthracyclines (therapeutic use)
• Biopsy
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney Transplantation
• Lymphoma (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Lymphoproliferative Disorders (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Survival Rate
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome