Purpose

Adult post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) has a reported 3-year overall survival (OS) of 35% to 40%. The impact of rituximab on the outcome of PTLD is not well defined.

Methods

We examined the clinical features and outcomes among a large cohort of solid organ transplantation (SOT)–related patients with PTLD who were recently treated at four Chicago institutions (from January 1998 to January 2008).

Results

Eighty patients with PTLD were identified who had a median SOT-to-PTLD time of 48 months (range, 1 to 216 months). All patients had reduction of immunosuppression as part of initial therapy, whereas 59 (74%) of 80 patients received concurrent first-line rituximab with or without chemotherapy. During 40-month median follow-up, 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients was 57%, and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 62%. Patients who received rituximab-based therapy as part of initial treatment had 3-year PFS of 70% and OS 73% compared with 21%(P<. 0001) and 33%(P=. 0001), respectively, without rituximab. Notably, of all relapses, only 9%(4 of 34 patients) occurred beyond 12 months from PTLD diagnosis. On multivariate regression analysis, three factors were associated with progression and survival: CNS involvement (PFS, 4.70; P=. 01; OS, 3.61; P=. 04), bone marrow involvement (PFS, 2.95; P=. 03; OS, 3.14; P=. 03), and hypoalbuminemia (PFS, 2.96; P=. 05; OS, 3.64; P=. 04). Furthermore, a survival model by multivariate CART analysis that was based on number of adverse factors present (ie, 0, 1,≥ 2) was formed: 3-year PFS rates were 84%, 66%, 7%, respectively, and 3-year OS rates were 93%, 68%, 11%, respectively (P<. 0001).

Conclusion

This large, multicenter, retrospective analysis suggests significantly improved PFS and OS associated with early rituximab-based treatment in PTLD. In addition, clinical factors at diagnosis identified patients with markedly divergent outcomes.