Rituximab in association with rapamycin for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease treatment.
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of solid-organ and blood stem-cell transplants. It responds poorly to therapy, including reduction of immunosuppression, interferon, antivirals or chemotherapy. Small series of PTLD successfully treated with rituximab have been reported, and experimental studies suggest that rapamycin inhibits growth of human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphocytes. We report two cases of PTLD after renal transplantation that were successfully treated with rituximab in association with rapamycin. This report suggests that rituximab associated with rapamycin could be an effective and safe treatment for PTLD.
Garcia
Valter Duro
VD
Santa Casa Hospital, Rua Correa Lima 1493, 90850 Porto Alegre, Brazil. cdgarcia@terra.com.br
Bonamigo Filho
José Luz
JL
Neumann
Jorge
J
Fogliatto
Laura
L
Geiger
Anna Maria
AM
Garcia
Clotilde Druck
CD
Barros
Vivianne
V
Keitel
Elizete
E
Bittar
Antonio Eduardo
AE
Ferrera des Santos
Auri
A
Roithmann
Sergio
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D000069283:Rituximab; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D020123:Sirolimus