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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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Orthotopic Transplantation of Syngeneic Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells to Study PD-L1 Expression
Published on: January 19, 2019
Development of malignancy following lung transplantation
Anat Amital1, David Shitrit, Yael Raviv
1Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Belinson Campus, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Transplantation
|February 24, 2006
Summary
Malignancy is common after lung transplantation, with higher rates of skin and bladder cancers observed. Reducing immunosuppression and sun avoidance may lower cancer risk in transplant patients.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Medicine
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Organ transplantation is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
- Immunosuppressive therapy post-transplant is a likely contributing factor to malignancy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and types of malignancies following lung and heart-lung transplantation.
- To compare post-transplant cancer rates with existing registry data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 121 lung and heart-lung transplant recipients (1992-2004).
- Comparison of observed malignancy rates with International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) registry data.
Main Results:
- Malignancies occurred in 16 patients (13.2%), including skin cancers (7), lymphoproliferative disorders (3), Kaposi's sarcoma (3), and urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma (3).
- Patients developing cancer were older at transplantation (mean 54.1 years) compared to those without cancer (mean 49.5 years).
- Higher incidences of skin cancer (12.8%) and transitional cell carcinoma (3.8%) were noted compared to ISHLT data (0.7% and 0.03%).
Conclusions:
- Malignancy is a frequent complication after lung transplantation.
- Skin cancers and bladder transitional cell carcinoma are more prevalent in sunnier climates like Israel.
- Strategies to mitigate cancer risk include modifying immunosuppression and patient counseling on sun exposure and hydration.
