Outcomes of renal transplantation in patients with previous hematologic malignancies

Abstract

Recommendations regarding the appropriateness of renal transplantation in patients with prior hematologic malignancies are limited. Given the lack of available data, studies are needed to assess which of these patients will maximally benefit from renal transplantation. This study was undertaken to describe the incidence of new or recurrent malignancy as well as patient and allograft survival, acute rejection, and serious infections in patients with prior hematologic malignancies receiving renal transplantation. This was a single center retrospective review of all adult patients with a previous hematologic malignancy who received a living or deceased renal transplantation between January 2009 and January 2016. Eight renal transplantation recipients with prior hematologic malignancies were identified and followed for a minimum of 3 years. Six patients received prior chemotherapy and five had a prior hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Median time from remission to transplant was 2.6 years. Three-year patient and allograft survival were 87% and 75%, respectively. Three patients were diagnosed with new cancers within 3 years post-renal transplantation; one of which died from cancer-related complications with a functioning allograft. There was concern for recurrent hematologic malignancies in two patients based on serologic studies, but, both of these patients were alive with functioning allografts at 3-year follow-up. Our experience suggests that renal transplantation can be successfully performed in select patients with prior hematologic malignancy but with a significant risk for de novo malignancy post-transplant, which may be associated with an overall poor prognosis. Decisions regarding renal transplantation candidacy should be made based on risk stratification and multidisciplinary discussions with patients, hematologists, and transplant providers.