title: Successful treatment of EBV PTLD with CNS lymphomas with the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) or solid organ transplantation. The majority of PTLD are associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). PTLD may involve several organs like liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, and small intestine. PTLD with central nervous system (CNS) involvement only has been reported in very few cases so far.
  
  
  METHODS
  We here describe 2 cases who 7 and 12 months after HSCT developed EBV PTLD with CNS lymphomas only. The efficacy of therapy was monitored by magnetic resonance imaging, EBV replication, light chain detection, and the clinical course. Both patients responded very well to the intravenous administration of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These 2 case reports illustrate that in EBV PTLD with CNS lymphomas, the systemic administration of rituximab only may prove effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Germany. lambros.kordelas@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Lambros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kordelas
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trenschel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koldehoff
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elmaagacli
authors.forename: Dietrich W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Beelen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D019737:Transplants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab