Rituximab as treatment of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder in patients who underwent small bowel/multivisceral transplantation: report of three cases.
This report describes three cases of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in multivisceral/small bowel transplant patients treated with rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies). In two cases (one of which was a B-cell lymphoma) a good response to therapy was achieved. A third case (with polymorphic PTLD with low CD20 expression) developed a refractory rejection and PTLD was still documented on graftectomy. Rituximab was well tolerated, and a reduction of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral load was documented by quantitive competitive-EBV polymerase chain reaction. Efficacy of therapy needs to be assessed in controlled studies.
Codeluppi
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Infectious Diseases Clinic, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. codeluppi.mauro@unimo.it
Cocchi
S
S
Guaraldi
G
G
Di Benedetto
F
F
Bagni
A
A
Pecorari
M
M
Gennari
W
W
Pinna
A D
AD
Gerunda
G E
GE
Esposito
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001706:Biopsy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005736:Gardner Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014781:Viscera / Q000637:transplantation*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab