Solid organ transplantation in survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation: a single institution case series and literature review

For selected hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) survivors with severe organ dysfunction, solid organ transplantation (SOT) may offer the best chance for better quality of life and extended survival. However, SOT following HCT has not been well described. We report our institutional experience of SOT in 12 HCT recipients and present a review of the published literature of this procedure in HCT survivors. Our experience with transplanted organs included kidney (n = 7), lung (n = 3), liver (n = 2) and heart (n = 1). Age at HCT ranged from 2 to 56 yr. Median time between HCT and SOT was 7.9 yr (range 1.2-15.9 yr). Among the 11 patients with post-SOT follow-up information, 10 had normal function of the transplanted solid organ at the time of last contact or death. Infections and secondary malignancy were the most common complications. Four other institutional experiences with kidney transplant, 21 case reports of liver transplant, 11 case reports of lung transplant and one cardiac transplant are also summarized. SOT is feasible for selected HCT survivors with organ failure and may be associated with favorable long-term survival and graft function. More research is needed to further delineate the subset of survivors who will benefit the most from SOT with the least risk of complications.