Liver transplantation for HCV-related cirrhosis in a patient with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoma (MALToma) pretreated with rituximab.
End-stage liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now the most frequent indication for liver transplantation. HCV infection is associated with extrahepatic disease including cryoglobulinemia and lymphoma. The number of patients requiring liver transplantation (LT) for cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection has increased over the past 10 years; consequently, associated extrahepatic manifestations (in particular hematological malignancies) will be more commonly observed in this patient group. The management of patients with both end-stage liver disease and significant HCV-related extrahepatic disease is undefined. We report a 59-year-old man in whom extranodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma arising in gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALToma) was successfully eradicated by rituximab administration and gastrectomy at LT for HCV-related cirrhosis. Our experience with rituximab in this patient suggests that it can be used safely in the setting of severe liver disease due to HCV infection. Rituximab may be useful in preventing progression of NHL until surgical extirpation is possible.
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Matthew R
MR
Foxton
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Lisa
L
Knight
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Alex S
AS
Knisely
Department of Haematological Medicine, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Ghulam J
GJ
Mufti
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
John
J
O'Grady
Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Paolo
P
Muiesan
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings' College Hospital, London, UK.
Suzanne
S
Norris
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D000069283:Rituximab; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab