Cancer Treatment Today

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) remains a major complication after solid organ and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. It is usually related to outgrowth of lymphocytes infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Following titers and an individualized treatment plan including decreased immunosuppression and other agents should be chosen based on the severity and extent of disease. Some classify  PTLD into three groups(1):  Early

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The pathologic hallmark of the disease is loss of the myelin sheath (the fatty covering that protects nerve fibers) of the peripheral nerves. First line treatment for CIDP includes corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone), plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) which may be prescribed

In April 2002, the FDA approved the Cylex Immune Cell Function Assay (Cylex Inc., Columbia, MD) for the detection of cell mediated immune response in populations undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant.  FDA clearance of tests does not include specific indications. The test calculates the concentration of ATP (ng/ml) from a calibration curve and compared to ATP level ranges to characterize the cellular immune function of the sample.