Transplant Evidence Alert

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Donor-Transmitted Cancer in Orthotopic Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review

Transpl Int. 2022 Feb 4;35:10092 doi: 10.3389/ti.2021.10092.
Abstract

Donor-transmitted cancer (DTC) has major implications for the affected patient as well as other recipients of organs from the same donor. Unlike heterotopic transplant recipients, there may be limited treatment options for orthotopic transplant recipients with DTC. We systematically reviewed the evidence on DTC in orthotopic solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in January 2020. We included cases where the outcome was reported and excluded donor-derived cancers. We assessed study quality using published checklists. Our domains of interest were presentation, time to diagnosis, cancer extent, management, and survival. There were 73 DTC cases in liver (n = 51), heart (n = 10), lung (n = 10) and multi-organ (n = 2) recipients from 58 publications. Study quality was variable. Median time to diagnosis was 8 months; 42% were widespread at diagnosis. Of 13 cases that underwent re-transplantation, three tumours recurred. Mortality was 75%; median survival 7 months. Survival was worst in transmitted melanoma and central nervous system tumours. The prognosis of DTC in orthotopic SOTRs is poor. Although re-transplantation offers the best chance of cure, some tumours still recur. Publication bias and clinical heterogeneity limit the available evidence. From our findings, we suggest refinements to clinical practice. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020165001, Prospero Registration Number: CRD42020165001.

CET Conclusion
Reviewer: Dr Liset Pengel, Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences University of Oxford
Conclusion: The systematic review evaluated published evidence on donor transmitted cancer (DTC) in solid organ transplant recipients. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO. A thorough bibliographic search was developed to identify relevant cohort studies, case-control studies, case series and case reports. Two independent reviewers screened search results, selected studies, extracted data and assessed the study quality. Fifty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria and reported on 73 cases of DTC in liver, lung and heart transplant recipients. Methodological quality of the included studies varied but was overall considered acceptable. Time from transplantation to the diagnosis of DTC ranged from 0 days to 6 years with 66% of cases diagnosed within 1 year and 82% of cases diagnosed within 2 years. The limited evidence showed that mortality was high. The authors make suggestions for clinical practice including surveillance of higher risk patients and management after DTC diagnosis.
Study Details
Aims: This study aimed to synthesise the available evidence on donor-transmitted cancer (DTC) in orthotopic solid organ transplant recipients.
Interventions: A literature search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science. Study selection and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the included studies were assessed using tools published by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).
Participants: 58 studies were included in the review.
Outcomes: The main outcomes included patient death, cause of death, cancer remission and cancer recurrence (and time since remission).
Follow Up: N/A
Metadata
Funding: Non-industry funding
Publication type: Systematic Review
Review registration: PROSPERO - CRD42020165001
Organ: Kidney; Pancreas; Liver; Simultaneous Kidney/Pancreas; Heart; Heart/Lung; Lung; Intestine; Various
Language: English
Author email: george.greenhall@nhsbt.nhs.uk
MeSH terms: Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Organ Transplantation; Tissue Donors; Transplant Recipients; Transplants; Heart Transplantation; Heart-Lung Transplantation; Kidney Transplantation; Lung Transplantation; Liver Transplantation; Pancreas Transplantation