Organ Transplantation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Transplantation, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery.

Kaposi's sarcoma after liver transplantation.

Di Benedetto F, Di Sandro S, De Ruvo N, Berretta M, Masetti M, Montalti R, Ballarin R, Cocchi S, Potenza L, Luppi M, Gerunda GE

Liver and Multivisceral Transplant Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41100 Modena, Italy. f.diben@virgilio.it

INTRODUCTION: Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) is a malignant neoplasm arising from endothelial cells. HHV8-infection represents a key pathogenic determinant for the development of KS. There are no standard criteria to treat KS in immunosuppressed-individuals. Six cases (2.1%) of KS occurred in our Center among 285-recipients who underwent liver transplantation (LT) between October 2000 and November 2006. METHODS: Patients were four males and two females. Mean age was 57 years (range 44-65). Indication for LT was ESLD associated/non-associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of cyclosporine/tacrolimus associated with steroids or daclizumab. HHV8-detection was performed by the serological method before LT, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-analysis after KS. RESULTS: One patient had HCV-related cirrhosis and coinfection from HIV, three had HBV-related cirrhosis, two of these with coexistent HCC. The last two patients had alcoholic-cirrhosis, one with coexistent HCC. Mean time from transplantation to KS was 6.2 months (range 3.8-8.8). Three patients were treated with doxorubicin and three with switch from calcineurin-inhibitors to sirolimus. Three patients expired after 11.5, 8.8, and 7.4 months from KS diagnosis. DISCUSSION: KS should be treated by a multidisciplinary approach to obtain an early diagnosis and best management. Effective treatment with immunosuppression reduction or switch to sirolimus is mandatory and can induce complete regression.

Published 8 April 2008 in J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 134(6): 653-8.
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