An unexpectedly high incidence of Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease after CD34+ selected autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant in neuroblastoma

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2004 Mar;33(6):651-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704402.

Abstract

The risk of Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD) increases with the use of highly immunosuppressive therapies. Allogeneic BMT, especially supported by T-cell-depleted stem cell products, is a risk factor for EBV-LPD. Although the risk of EBV-LPD after autologous transplantation is low, case reports of this complication in the autologous setting exist. We report a higher incidence than previously described of EBV-LPD in children undergoing sequential high-dose chemotherapy supported with CD34 selected peripheral blood stem cells (CD34+ PBSC). The median time to LPD after tandem transplant was 3 months (range 1-5 months). Five patients out of 156 (3.5%) developed EBV-LPD while enrolled on two trials of tandem autologous SCT in high-risk pediatric malignancies. Both studies employed five cycles of induction therapy, followed by tandem autologous PBSC transplants. In all, 108 out of 156 patients received CD34+ PBSC; 48 received unselected PBSC. All patients contracting LPD were from the CD34 selected group. Treatment of EBV-LPD included rituximab in four out of five patients, i.v.Ig in two out of five patients, and gancyclovir in two out of five patients. EBV-LPD resolved in four out of five patients. We conclude that the combination of tandem SCT and CD34 selection may have increased immunosuppression in these patients to a point where there is an elevated risk of EBV-LPD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / blood
  • Antigens, CD34 / immunology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / epidemiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / virology*
  • Male
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Transplantation, Autologous / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD34