Epstein-Barr Virus as a Cause of Cancer in Recipients of Kidney Transplantation

More than one in five high-risk EBV-negative kidney transplant recipients developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease within 3 years of receiving organs from seropositive donors.

About 90% of U.S. adults are seropositive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV); thus, organ transplants between seropositive donors and seronegative recipients (EBV D+/R−) are uncommon. Furthermore, such recipients are at increased risk for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). What is the magnitude of that risk?

In a retrospective cohort study, investigators matched 104 high-risk (EBV D+/R−) adults to 312 low-risk (EBV R+) adults who had received kidney transplants. Most recipients underwent induction immunosuppression with thymoglobulin. During the 3-year post-transplant follow-up period, PTLD developed in 22% of high-risk patients a median 202 days after transplant. No cases were identified among EBV R+ or D−/R− individuals. EBV D+/…

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Epstein-Barr Virus as a Cause of Cancer in Recipients of Kidney Transplantation

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Reviewing Author