A study published in the Lancet in 1984 reports that post-transplant lymphomas and lymphoproliferative lesions, often linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, developed in recipients of cadaveric kidney, liver, heart, and heart-lung transplants. These lesions regressed when immunosuppression was reduced or stopped, often without graft rejection. Chemotherapy and irradiation were ineffective. The findings suggest that cyclosporin-steroid therapy may lead to relatively harmless lymphomas if properly managed. The study analyzed 17 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, including 8 kidney, 3 liver, 3 heart, and 2 heart-lung recipients. EBV was detected in 88% of patients, and EBV genomes were found in 7 of 8 tumors. Most lesions were B-cell origin, with some being monoclonal or polyclonal. Lymphomas were classified as non-Hodgkin's diffuse malignant lymphoma or atypical lymphoproliferation. Patients who had their immunosuppression reduced or stopped showed resolution of lesions, with no subsequent rejection of the grafts. In some cases, chemotherapy or irradiation was used but was not effective. The study highlights that stopping or reducing immunosuppression can lead to resolution of lymphoproliferative tumors, especially in patients with cyclosporin and prednisone therapy. The study also notes that EBV infection is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, and that the concept of treatment withdrawal may be beneficial in managing such cases. However, the approach is not widely accepted due to concerns about graft rejection. The study suggests that reducing immunosuppression can lead to resolution of lymphoproliferative tumors, especially in patients with cyclosporin-steroid therapy. The findings may influence policies on treating other post-transplantation neoplasms.A study published in the Lancet in 1984 reports that post-transplant lymphomas and lymphoproliferative lesions, often linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, developed in recipients of cadaveric kidney, liver, heart, and heart-lung transplants. These lesions regressed when immunosuppression was reduced or stopped, often without graft rejection. Chemotherapy and irradiation were ineffective. The findings suggest that cyclosporin-steroid therapy may lead to relatively harmless lymphomas if properly managed. The study analyzed 17 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, including 8 kidney, 3 liver, 3 heart, and 2 heart-lung recipients. EBV was detected in 88% of patients, and EBV genomes were found in 7 of 8 tumors. Most lesions were B-cell origin, with some being monoclonal or polyclonal. Lymphomas were classified as non-Hodgkin's diffuse malignant lymphoma or atypical lymphoproliferation. Patients who had their immunosuppression reduced or stopped showed resolution of lesions, with no subsequent rejection of the grafts. In some cases, chemotherapy or irradiation was used but was not effective. The study highlights that stopping or reducing immunosuppression can lead to resolution of lymphoproliferative tumors, especially in patients with cyclosporin and prednisone therapy. The study also notes that EBV infection is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, and that the concept of treatment withdrawal may be beneficial in managing such cases. However, the approach is not widely accepted due to concerns about graft rejection. The study suggests that reducing immunosuppression can lead to resolution of lymphoproliferative tumors, especially in patients with cyclosporin-steroid therapy. The findings may influence policies on treating other post-transplantation neoplasms.