Diagnostic criteria and research progress on pancreas allograft pathology / 器官移植

Pancreas transplantation and pancreas-kidney transplantation are the optimal treatment for renal failure caused by type 1 diabetes mellitus, partial type 2 diabetes mellitus and their complications. Pancreas transplantation mainly includes simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK), pancreas transplantation after kidney transplantation (PAK) and pancreas transplantation alone (PTA). Among all types of pancreas transplantation, biopsy of pancreas allograft remains the best method for definitively diagnosing rejection and differentiate it from other complications. In this article, biopsy methods of pancreas allograft and related research progress, diagnostic criteria and research progress on rejection of pancreas allograft biopsy, and main complications and pathological manifestations of pancreas allograft were illustrated, aiming to provide reference for guiding the clinical diagnosis of the above mentioned complications and ensuring the long-term survival of pancreas allografts and recipients.

Diagnostic criteria and its progress on intestinal graft pathology / 器官移植

Intestinal transplantation has become the most ideal treatment for intestinal failure. Modern clinical intestinal transplantation includes three types: isolated intestinal transplantation, combined liver-intestinal transplantation and abdominal multivisceral transplantation. The immunological, anatomical and physiological characteristics of intestinal grafts significantly differ from those of other solid transplant organs. Consequently, intestinal grafts could develop specific and severe complications, such as acute rejection, chronic rejection, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infection and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), among which acute rejection and infection are extremely challenging. Endoscopic examination and intestinal mucosal biopsy of intestinal grafts could be performed to make timely diagnosis and differentiation of these complications, then deliver targeted treatment and guarantee the long-term survival of recipients and intestinal grafts.

Belatacept: a new weapon in anti-rejection battlefield / 器官移植

As a co-stimulatory blocker against CD28 receptor, belatacept has been approved and applied to the treatment of rejection in organ transplantation in Europe and America. Belatacept has been proven to outperform calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in improving the long-term survival rate of recipients and grafts, and enhancing graft function. Nevertheless, it might cause a high incidence of rejection. To resolve this issue, transplant workers have attempted to optimize belatacept immunosuppressive regimen and achieved good clinical efficacy. Although belatacept has been proven to exert poor effect on memory T cells, it has potential value in exploring new co-stimulatory molecular targets to optimize immunosuppressive regimes due to its specificity for immune cells and mild adverse effects. In this article, the advent of co-stimulatory blocker, clinical efficacy and application of belatacept, and the causes of belatacept-resistant rejection were reviewed.

Progress on biomarkers of EB virus-related posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease / 器官移植

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a series of heterogeneous lymphoproliferative diseases and a severe complication after solid organ transplantation in children. Over 70% of PTLD is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV-related B-cell lymphoma is also the main malignant tumor after pediatric organ transplantation. EBV-related PTLD is still a challenge in pediatric solid organ transplantation, which is mainly caused by immune function damage induced by immune suppression after transplantation. However, the specific mechanism remains elusive. In recent years, biomarkers have been developed to guide the diagnosis and individualized treatment of EBV-related PTLD, which possesses excellent application prospect. In this article, research progresses on the incidence of EBV-related PTLD in solid organ transplantation and its biomarkers were reviewed, aiming to explore novel ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Research progress on malignant tumor after lung transplantation / 器官移植

Lung transplantation has become the most effective treatment of end-stage lung diseases. Along with persistent optimization of lung transplantation technique and perioperative management, the short-term clinical efficacy after lung transplantation has been significantly improved, whereas the long-term clinical prognosis remains unoptimistic. Besides chronic lung allograft dysfunction, postoperative malignant tumors also threaten the long-term survival of the recipients. Common malignant tumors following lung transplantation include nonmelanoma skin cancer, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and lung cancer. After solid organ transplantation, a large majority of the recipients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. The intensity of immunosuppressive therapy for the lung transplant recipients is generally higher than other organ transplant recipients. Immunosuppression is the main factor which leads to the impairment of anti-tumor immune monitoring function and promotes the incidence and development of malignant tumors. In this article, the risk factors, prevention and treatment of the most common malignant tumors after lung transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors following lung transplantation.

Research progress on posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease after lung transplantation / 器官移植

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a fatal complication after lung transplantation, which is intimately associated with age, immunosuppression level and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, etc. Reducing immunosuppression level, rituximab therapy and T cell immunotherapy are common treatments for PTLD. With the rapid development of lung transplantation in China, PTLD after lung transplantation has attracted widespread attention. This article reviews the risk factors, pathological types, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of PTLD after lung transplantation, aiming to provide reference for early monitoring and management of the incidence and progression of PTLD.

Diagnosis and treatment of posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases in liver transplant recipients: a single-center experience / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the incidence, diagnosis and treatment experience of posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD) in the liver transplant recipients. Methods Clinical data of 734 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence, clinical symptoms, laboratory and imaging data of PTLD in liver transplant recipients were collected. The pathological results and treatment methods of PTLD recipients were analyzed. The prognosis of PTLD recipients was evaluated. Results The incidence of PTLD in liver transplant recipients was 2.2% (16/734). The median time of onset after operation was 8(3, 46) months. The main clinical manifestations of PTLD were fever and lymph nodes enlargement. Some patients developed anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, abnormal liver function and digestive system symptoms, etc. Among 16 PTLD recipients, 1 case showed abnormal increase in blood concentration of tacrolimus, 6 cases of elevated transaminase levels, 14 cases of increased Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load and 5 cases of increased cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA load. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) showed hypermetabolism of 18F-flurodeoxyglucose in the enlarged lymph nodes of 13 recipients. CT scan of the neck and abdomen indicated multiple lymph node enlargement in the corresponding area of 2 recipients. Lymph nodes enlargement of 1 recipient showed on ultrasound only. All 16 PTLD recipients received pathological examination. In situ hybridization showed that EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was positive in 13 recipients. Reducing the immunosuppressant level was the basal treatment plan for PTLD recipients, and it can be combined with rituximab-targeted therapy and chemotherapy according to different pathological types of PTLD. Surgery and radiotherapy were used for enlarged lymph nodes. One recipient died of transplant liver failure due to PTLD treatment. Conclusions Administration of immunosuppressants after liver transplantation can increase the risk of PTLD. The incidence of PTLD is higher in pediatric liver transplant recipients than in adults. Early diagnosis and reasonable treatment can significantly improve the prognosis of PTLD recipients.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder without Epstein-Barr Virus Presented as Small Bowel Perforation in Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report / 대한이식학회지

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is documented as one of the serious complications leading to mortality particularly in organ transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Extant literature confirms beyond doubt that the most common site of involvement of PTLD is lymph nodes, and rarely involved is the gastrointestinal tract. It is a well-known fact that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a risk factor for PTLD development. In this study, we report a case of PTLD presented as small bowel perforation without EBV infection after long-term immunosuppressive therapy in a renal transplant recipient.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders in Kidney Transplant Patients: Report from a Single-center over 25 Years / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Posttranplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a fatal complication of organ transplantation and standard treatment is either ineffective or too toxic to tolerate. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of PTLD patients retrospectively. METHODS: We enrolled 2,630 kidney recipients who underwent transplantation from April 1979 to June 2007. And we retrospectively reviewed clinical manifestations of PTLD. RESULTS: Among one hundred ninety post-transplant malignancies from 2,630 renal recipients, 11 PTLD were diagnosed during 195.3+/-11.5 months (0~388 months) of mean follow up duration. PTLD predominantly occurred in male (Male : Female=10 : 1) and mean age of PTLD patients at the time of PTLD diagnosis was 51+/-15 year (18~71 year). Mean time interval to PTLD diagnosis were 126.6+/-74.8 months (6~240 months). In aspect of WHO classification, there were no early lesion, 1 polymorphic PTLD (9.1%), 10 monomorphic PTLD (90.9%) and no other types. In aspect of involved organ, GI tract was involved in 1 case, lung in 2 cases, bone in 2 cases, spleen in 2 cases, neck node in 2 cases, liver in 1 case, and multiple organs in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the prevalence of PTLD was 0.46%, which was less than reports from Western countries. We also found that the late onset PTLD was more than early onset one, which was another difference from previous reports.

A Case of Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease Following Renal Transplantation in a Child

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease(PTLD) has emerged as a potential life-threatening complication of immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation. The occurrence of PTLD is usually associated with an Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection in patients who are treated by aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. PTLD is represented by diverse manifestations ranging from reactive lymphoid hyperplasia to high grade malignant lymphoma. This is a case report of a late PTLD in a child. The patient is a 14-year-old girl, who presented as malignant lymphoma 44 months after successful renal transplantation. There was no evidence of EBV infection. On bone marrow study, many neoplastic lymphoid cells were detected. Aggressive chemotherapy for PTLD had resulted in clinical remission. However the patient expired from uncontrolled sepsis and septic shock after 77 days.

An Incidence of Childhood Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Lymphoproliferative Disease after Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated disease is known to be one of the major complication after transplantation. Early identification and diagnosis is crucial. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the incidence and to analyze the risk factors of EBV-associated disease. Twenty-five children with liver transplantation from Oct. 1994 to Oct. 1997 had been surveyed. Laboratory data of EBV infection such as anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM and IgG, EBV PCR, EBV encoded small RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization had been obtained at pre op, and post op 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 24 weeks, then annually or when EBV infection was suspected. We classified these cases as asymptomatic infection, EBV syndrome, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). And we analyzed the incidence of EBV infection according to age, type of immunosuppression, and CMV disease. Incidence of EBV infection in this study was 48% (12 out of 25), among them, 5 children were symptomatic and PTLD developed in 2 children. The significant risk factors were age at transplantation and CMV infection. One of PTLD cases resulting from EBV infection showed fatal outcome, the other was improved. We suggested that physicians especially in the care of the children after the liver transplantation should recognize the risk factors of the development of the EBV infection to avoid the progression into the potentially fatal PTLD.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease(PTLD) following Renal Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease(PTLD) represents a diverse lymphoproliferative disorder ranging from non-specific reactive hyperplasia to malignant immunoblastic sarcoma developed in a setting of immunosuppression following organ or cellular transplantation. It is often associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and high dose immunosuppression. EBV detection and immunotyping including immunoglobulin clonality is crucial for prediction of prognosis and treatment modality. We report one case of PTLD developed 5 months after renal transplantation in 33 year-old man. Clinical manifestion was submandibular mass, and EBV was detected by in situ hybridization. Histology and immunotyping revealed immunoblastic lymphoma andl lambda chain monoclonality. He has been treated with reduction of immunosuppression, acyclovir and radiotherapy, and is in stable condition with normal renal function at postoperative 11months without evidence of disease reccurrence.