Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders: Single Center Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are referred to lymphoid and/or plasmacytic proliferation which occur as result of immunosuppression therapy in patient underwent solid organ or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Among solid organ transplant recipients, it accounts approximately 20% of all cancers. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been linked to the pathogenesis of PTLD when EBV was identified in the tumor biopsies. In most affected patients, PTLD occurs as a result of proliferation of EBV positive B cell following immunosuppression and impaired Tcell immune activity. EBV negative PTLD has been documented but no clear etiology has been confirmed, however theories of previous exposure to EBV which is completely cleared at the time of PTLD is diagnosed, different viruses or chronic antigenic stimulation all been considered as provoking factors for tumor development. Clinical symptomatology at presentation of patients with PTLD is usually indistinct from de novo lymphoproliferative disorders and chemotherapy protocols in this group of patients are generally similar to the standard of care of lymphoma treatment according to the subtype in addition to cessation or dose reduction of immunosuppressive therapy. We report our experience and outcome analysis in PTLD management among 23 patients from our institution treated between 2011 and 2019.