优化肝移植术后免疫抑制治疗方案

免疫抑制剂的毒副作用常常是影响肝移植受者长期生存的危险因素.免疫抑制个体化治疗是目前肝脏移植综合治疗的热点和难点.免疫抑制治疗已从仅着眼于移植术后抗免疫排斥反应,逐步向追求患者和移植物长期存活、药物副作用最小化、优化患者生命质量,同时降低患者经济负担方向发展.通过掌握各类免疫抑制剂特点及毒副作用,正确有效地评估受者的免疫状态,结合患者自身病理生理状况,有针对性地选择免疫抑制治疗方案,达到药物剂量最小化,实现个体化给药方案.     

以西罗莫司为主的免疫抑制方案在肝细胞癌肝移植术后的应用

目的:评估西罗莫司为主的免疫抑制方案在肝细胞癌行肝移植术后应用的安全性及对术后肿瘤复发和生存的影响。方法:回顾性分析2006年1月至2013年1月在本院肝移植中心因肝细胞癌行肝移植手术的64例病人的临床资料,根据术后是否应用西罗莫司分为西罗莫司组和他克莫司组,比较两组移植术后急性排异、肝动脉栓塞、胆道并发症、切口并发症、代谢疾病、肿瘤复发和病人生存等情况。结果:两组在急性排异、肝动脉栓塞、胆道并发症和切口并发症的发生率方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),西罗莫司组新发糖尿病的发生率显著低于他克莫司组,而高血脂的发生率则高于他克莫司组(P<0.05)。与他克莫司组比,西罗莫司组肿瘤1年复发率明显降低,累积生存率明显升高(P<0.05)。结论:肝细胞癌肝移植术后西罗莫司为主的免疫抑制方案并不增加移植术后急性排异、肝动脉栓塞、胆道并发症和切口并发症的发生率,且可延迟肿瘤的复发,提高病人的生存率。     

The immunosuppressive effect of FK 506 on canine lung transplantation.

The immunosuppressive potency of FK 506 was studied after left lung transplantation in adult mongrel dogs in comparison with cyclosporine. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, bronchial mucosal blood flow measurement with laser Doppler velocimetry, and chest x-ray and pathologic examinations were performed. Group A had no immunosuppression (n = 5); group B received FK 506 (0.10 mg/kg/day intramuscularly (n = 5); group C received cyclosporine (20 mg/kg/day orally) (n = 5). In group A four dogs died of rejection on the seventh to the twenty-first postoperative days. Another one was killed on the fourteenth postoperative day because bronchial dehiscence occurred at the anastomosis. In group B one died of alveolar rejection on the seventh postoperative day. The remaining four survived 28 days and were put to death. In group C all five dogs survived 28 days and were put to death. In group A bronchial stenosis or dehiscence at the anastomosis was found in every one during the early postoperative period. In group B stenosis did not develop in any of the dogs, including the one that died on the seventh postoperative day. In group C slight stenosis was seen in one dog, severe narrowing in another, and good healing in the remaining three. The transplanted lungs were almost normal histologically in four animals of group B, and one showed alveolar phase rejection. In all animals of group A severe rejection was observed, and in group C two of five animals showed vascular phase rejection, two latent phase, and one fibrosis. Histologic examination of the bronchial anastomosis in group B showed almost normal bronchial epithelium and slight submucosal infiltration of mononuclear cells. In group A there was desquamation of epithelium and mild to moderate mononuclear cell infiltration. In group C hyperplasia of the epithelium was observed in two animals, an abscess at the site of anastomosis in one, and mild to moderate mononuclear cell infiltration in all five. With use of laser Doppler velocimetry, bronchial blood flow in group B was found to be the same as in group C. Laser Doppler velocimetry values reached preoperative levels by the twenty-eighth postoperative day in both groups. Although diarrhea developed in two dogs of group B, no other significant side effect of FK 506 was seen.     

A safe immunosuppressive protocol in adult-to-adult living related liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: In this series of 32 adult-to-adult living related liver transplantations, we assessed the efficacy and safety of basiliximab in combination with a tacrolimus-based regimen. Basiliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (CD25), has been extensively evaluated as induction therapy for cadaveric liver transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two adult-to-adult living related liver transplantations were performed in the last 3 years. All patients received two 20 mg doses of basiliximab (days 0 and 4 posttransplantation) followed by tacrolimus (0.15 mg/kg/d; 10-15 ng/mL target trough levels) and steroids (starting with 20 mg IV switched to PO as soon as the patient was able to eat and weaned within 1-2 months). The average follow-up was 395 days after transplantation. RESULTS: Of the patients, 93.75% remained rejection-free during follow-up with an actuarial rejection-free probability of 92.59% within 3 months. Two patients (6%) had one episode of biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection (ACR). Actuarial patient and graft survival rates at 3 years were 86.85% and 81.25%. One patient (3%) experienced one episode of sepsis. There was no evidence of cytomegalovirus infections or side effects related to the basiliximab. We found zero de novo malignancy but we observed two patients with metastatic spread of their primary malignancy during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Basiliximab in association with tacrolimus and steroids is effective as prophylaxis of ACR among adult living related liver transplant recipients.     

Weight gain after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain is frequently observed after lung transplantation, but the magnitude, predictors and implications of weight gain after lung transplant are unknown. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 826 lung transplant recipients randomly selected from 12 international transplant centers. We included adult patients with available weight data at baseline and 1 year post-transplant. We examined demographic and clinical predictors of first year weight gain using a multiple linear regression model (n = 579) with percent weight change as the dependent variable. To study the association between first year weight gain and subsequent survival, we performed a Cox proportional hazards analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The median weight change was 10% (range -32% to 84%). On multi-variate analysis, increasing age and prolonged mechanical ventilation were inversely associated with weight gain; obstructive disease, interstitial disease and increasing ischemic time were positively associated with weight gain. Increasing baseline weight was negatively associated with weight gain in patients with obstructive and interstitial disease. The model accounted for 14% of the variance in weight gain. Patients with weight gain above the median had better subsequent survival (adjusted hazard ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.90). Infection was a more common cause of death in these patients, whereas malignant deaths were more frequent in patients with below-median weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial weight gain occurs in the first year after lung transplantation. The predictors of weight gain may be used to target high-risk patients for early intervention. Higher weight gain is associated with better subsequent survival.     

Complications in the native lung after single lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Single lung transplantation is a viable option for patients with end-stage pulmonary disease; despite encouraging results, we observed serious complications arising in the native lung. We retrospectively reviewed 36 single lung transplants to evaluate the incidence of complications arising in the native lung, their treatment and outcome. METHODS: Between 1991 and 1997, 35 patients received 36 single lung transplants for emphysema (16), pulmonary fibrosis (14), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (4), primary pulmonary hypertension (1) and bronchiolitis obliterans (1). The clinical records were reviewed and the complications related to the native lung were divided into early (up to 6 weeks after the transplant) and late complications. RESULTS: Nineteen complications occurred in 18 patients (50%), leading to death in nine (25%). Early complications (within 6 weeks from the transplant) were bacterial pneumonia (1), overinflation (3), retention of secretions with bronchial obstruction and atelectasis (1), hemothorax (1), pneumothorax (1) and invasive aspergillosis (3); one patient showed active tuberculosis at the time of transplantation. Two patients developed bacterial pneumonia and invasive aspergillosis leading to sepsis and death. The other complications were treated with separate lung ventilation (1), bronchoscopic clearance (1), chest tube drainage (1) and wedge resection and pleurodesis (mechanical) by VATS (1). One patient with hyperinflation of the native lung eventually required pneumonectomy and died of sepsis. The patient with active tuberculosis is alive and well after 9 months of medical treatment. Late complications were recurrent pneumothorax (4), progressive overinflation with functional deterioration (2), aspergillosis (1) and pulmonary nocardiosis (1). Recurrent pneumothorax was treated with chest tube drainage alone (1), thoracoscopic wedge resection and/or pleurodesis (2) and pneumonectomy (1); hyperinflation was treated with thoracoscopic lung volume reduction in both cases; both patients with late infectious complications died. CONCLUSIONS: After single lung transplantation, the native lung can be the source of serious problems. Early and late infectious complications generally result in a fatal outcome; the other complications can be successfully treated in most cases, even if surgery is required.     

Lymphocytic myocarditis after lung transplantation.

This study reports the development of lymphocytic myocarditis in a bilateral lung allograft recipient. A 23-year-old woman developed congestive heart failure and severe left ventricular dysfunction 32 months after a bilateral lung allograft for cystic fibrosis. She had taken oral acyclovir for infectious mononucleosis that was diagnosed 11 months previously. Her viral load for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) increased, and an echocardiogram revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25% and endomyocardial biopsy revealed lymphocytic myocarditis. She received valacyclovir (1 g x 3 times daily) and made a full recovery 6 months later.     

First human double hand transplantation: efficacy of a conventional immunosuppressive protocol

Based on the results achieved in single human hand transplantations, we decided to perform the first double hand transplantation with a conventional immunosuppressive protocol in a patient with a high potential for functional recovery. Two years after transplantation the efficacy and the safety of this immunosuppressive protocol are evaluated. The recipient was a 33-yr-old man suffering from a traumatic amputation of both hands in 1996. Five HLA-A, -B, and -DR mismatches were present with the donor; T and B cell cross-match was negative. Immunosuppressive protocol included tacrolimus, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil and, for induction, antithymocyte globulins and then anti CD25 monoclonal antibody. Reconstitution of lymphocyte populations proceeded normally. Neither anti-HLA antibodies nor chimerism in peripheral blood were detected. Two episodes of acute rejection characterized by maculopapular lesions occurred on days 53 and 82 after transplantation. Skin biopsies revealed a dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. Both episodes were completely and rapidly reversed by topical clobetasol and increased systemic corticosteroid therapy. The only side-effects related to treatment were reversible serum sickness and hyperglycemia. No infectious complications and malignancies occurred. No signs of graft-versus-host disease have been detected. This case of double hand transplantation shows that conventional immunosuppression is effective and safe to ensure survival and functional recovery of the grafted limb.     

终末期良性肝病患者肝移植后免疫抑制治疗单中心经验总结

目的 总结单中心原发病为良性终末期肝病患者肝移植后免疫抑制剂的应用经验,探讨个体化治疗方案.方法 回顾性分析单中心1400例肝移植中645例原发病为良性终末期肝病者的资料.2002年4月至2004年12月为第1阶段(共146例),受者均采用常规三联用药方案,即他克莫司(Tac)+吗替麦考酚酯(MMF)+甲泼尼龙(MP);2005年1月至2007年12月为第2阶段(共273例),受者用药量较前减少;2008年1月至2010年8月为第3阶段(共226例),根据术前终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分及受者状况分为常规组和重症组,采用个体化免疫抑制方案.结果 3个阶段中,MELD评分<25分者的存活率分别为88.9%、94.2%和95.4%,MELD评分≥25分者的存活率分别为67.7%、73.4%和82.0%.3个阶段中MELD评分<25分者排斥反应发生率的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),MELD评分≥25分者第2阶段和第3阶段排斥反应发生率稍高于第1阶段(P<0.05).结论 肝移植术后免疫抑制剂的应用可根据受者的具体情况进行个体化应用,有利于提高其存活率.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze the individual immunosuppressive protocol (IP) after liver transplantation (LT) in benign end-stage liver disease. Methods The clinical data of 645 patients with benign end-stage liver disease undergoing LT in our institute from April 2002 to Aug 2010 wen analyzed retrospectively. 146 cases from Apr. 2002 to Dec. 2004 were in stage one, and triple therapy containing tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methylprednisolone (MP) was used;273 cases from Jan. 2005 to Dec 2007 were in stage two, and the less dose of immunosuppressant than stage one was used; 226 cases from Jan. 2008 to Aug. 2010 were in stage three, and they wen divided into conventional group and severe patient group according to their preoperative model for endstage liver disease (MELD) score and patient condition, the individual IP was used. Results The overall survival rate of patients with MELD score <25 was 88. 9 % in stage one, 94. 2 % in stage two, and 95. 4 % in stage three; The overall survival rate of patients with MELD score ≥25 was 67. 7 % in stage one, 73. 4 % in stage two, and 82. 0 % in stage three. The incidence of rejection ir cases with MELD score <25 had no significant difference (P>0. 05). The incidence of rejection in cases with MELD score ≥25 in stage two and stage three was higher slightly than in stage one (P<0. 05). Conclusion The IP after liver transplantation should be individualized according to recipient conditions, which can increase survival rate.     

Chylothorax after heart/lung transplantation.

Chylothorax is a potentially serious complication of lung and heart-lung transplantation. This article describes the clinical course of chylothorax in 3 heart-lung allograft recipients. We discuss management options, including dietary modifications, octreotide infusion, thoracic duct ligation and embolization, and surgical pleurodesis. In addition, we describe the novel use of aminocaproic acid to reduce lymph flow. We propose a multidisciplinary approach for the management of chylothorax that includes both medical and surgical options.     

Gonadal function and immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation

End-stage renal disease is associated with disorders in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function. Immunosuppressive therapies may influence the restoration of normal levels of gonadal hormones after renal transplantation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hormonal status of successful renal transplant recipients who were treated with different immunosuppressive agents.

Methods

Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in 59 male renal transplant recipients with stable graft function with serum creatinine <2.5 mg/dL. Patients were treated with three different immunosuppressive regimens: group I, calcineurin inhibitors (CI; n = 15), group II, sirolimus without calcineurin inhibitors (SRL; n = 15), group III, sirolimus in combination with calcineurin inhibitors (SRL * CI; n = 29).

Results

Testosterone was significantly lower in group II versus group I (3.12 ± 1.23 versus 4.39 ± 1.53 ng/mL; P < .0197). Group III had higher testosterone values than group II, but lower than group I. FSH and LH were also higher in the SRL group, but the differences were not statistically significant, perhaps because of the small number of patients. No relationship was found between testosterone blood levels and age, posttransplant follow-up, renal function, time on dialysis, body mass index, steroid use, or posttransplant diabetes.

Conclusion

Sirolimus seems to impair the improvement of gonadal function after renal transplantation. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these data before patients are advised of this potential side effect.     

Airway growth after pediatric lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LT) has been successfully offered to pediatric patients. Very little is known about the growth of the transplanted lung, especially in the infant population. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning is a simple method for studying pediatric patients who have undergone LT. We evaluated the use of CT scans to assess airway growth after pediatric LT, compare airway diameter indexed to somatic growth between LT patients and normals, and compare the growth of pre-anastomotic and post-anastomotic airways indexed to somatic growth in pediatric LT patients.METHODS: We reviewed CT scans on all pediatric patients who underwent primary LT before their fifteenth birthday between January 1995 and September 1998. Uniform measurements of diameter were made in pre-anastomotic (trachea, and proximal right and left bronchi) and post-anastomotic (distal right and left bronchi) sites. These measurements were then correlated with height and compared to previously published normal values.RESULTS: Of the 16 patients who underwent LT during the study period, 11 had at least 2 sequential CT scans (LT age 3 months to 14 years, median 2 years). Thirty-one CT scans were reviewed. Inter-observer variability was within 1 standard deviation (2 mm) in 93% of the measurements and inter-observer reliability was 0.91 by analysis of variance. Tracheal transverse diameter plotted against body height (slope 0.0072, correlation coefficient 0.88) was virtually identical to previously published norms. A similar relationship between airway diameter and height was observed in pre-anastomotic and post-anastomotic segments. CONCLUSION: CT scanning is a reliable method for assessing airway growth in pediatric LT recipients. Tracheal growth in pediatric LT recipients is similar to that of normal children. Post-anastomotic large airways grow similarly to native, pre-anastomotic airways.     

Lymphocele after renal transplantation: the influence of the immunosuppressive therapy

Lymphocele is a complication of renal transplantation, representing a lymphatic collection around the grafted kidney. The use of the immunosuppressive agent sirolimus (SRL) has been associated with a significant increase in lymphocele formation. This complication has been related to the antiproliferative activity of SRL, which delays surgical wound repair and closure of injured lymphatic vessels. The aim of this study was to relate the incidence of lymphocele with immunosuppression among 158 renal transplant patients operated with routine closure of all the visible lymphatic vessels around the iliac vessels and at the renal hilum. The incidence of lymphocele was not significantly different among the various immunosuppressive regimens.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae is established as a common agent of acute respiratory tract infection and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Airway disease is a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. We investigated the role of C pneumoniae as a pulmonary pathogen after lung transplantation. METHODS: Eighty lung transplant recipients underwent 232 bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavage with or without transbronchial lung biopsy during 1 year for surveillance of rejection and infection, or where clinically indicated. RESULTS: C pneumoniae was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction in 9 of 36 (25%) recipients studied within 30 days of lung transplantation, 3 of whom remained positive on repeat lavage and died from airway disease in the first year post-operatively. By comparison, all 27 recipients with negative lavage survived >1 year. Lavage was positive for C pneumoniae in 18 of 71 (25%) recipients studied >30 days after lung transplantation, 5 of whom had pneumonia and 8 of whom had bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Eleven also had acute pulmonary allograft rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent infection with C pneumoniae (whether donor-derived, de novo or re-activated) appears deleterious to pulmonary allograft function and is associated with early mortality, rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. A trial of empiric antibiotic therapy for C pneumoniae may therefore be warranted in the attempt to prevent progressive inflammatory airway disease.