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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation conditioning with use of rituximab in EBV related lymphoproliferative disorders.

Clin Immunol. 2014 Feb 4;151(2):79-83

Authors: Shamriz O, Vilk SR, Wolf DG, Ta-Shma A, Averbuch D, Weintraub M, Stepensky P

Abstract
X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) and IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) deficiency are rare immunodeficiencies with a spectrum of clinical manifestations. Although there are no official guidelines for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in these patients, previous reports have shown that reduced intensity conditioning regimens provide successful engraftment with limited toxicity. Here, we report on three children with XLP and one with ITK deficiency, who underwent successful HSCT using a rituximab containing conditioning regimen, and review the current literature.

PMID: 24584040 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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[Flow cytometry in the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis].

Orv Hetil. 2014 Mar 1;155(10):389-95

Authors: Pállinger E, Erdélyi D, Kovács G, Kriván G, Korponay Z, Fekete G, Szabó A, Falus A, Dérfalvi B

Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a multisystem inflammation, generated by the uncontrolled and excessive activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Severe immunodeficiency and generalized macrophage activation can often be detected in the background of this life threatening disorder. It is classified as a primary immunodeficiency. Functional abnormalities of the perforin protein or defects in granule secretory mechanisms are caused by gene mutations in most cases. Diagnostic criteria of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are the following: fever, splenomegaly, cytopenias affecting at least two of the 3 lineages in peripheral blood, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperferritinemia, elevated serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25), hypofibrinogenemia, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow and decreased cytotoxic T cell and natural killer cell activity. In this case report the authors summarize the utility of functional flow cytometry in the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Using flow cytometry, elevated intracellular perforin content, decreased killing activity of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, and impaired cell surface expression of CD107a (LAMP1 protein) from in vitro stimulated blood lymphocytes were detected. Abnormal secretion of perforin was also demonstrated. Genetic testing revealed mutation of the MUNC 13-4 gene, which confirmed the base of the abnormal flow cytometric findings. This case report demonstrates the value of functional flow cytometry in the rapid diagnosis of genetically determined hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a condition in which early diagnosis is critical for optimal management. The authors emphasize the significance of functional flow cytometry in the differential diagnosis of immunodeficiencies. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(10), 389-395.

PMID: 24583560 [PubMed – in process]

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Gene and cell therapy for children – New medicines, new challenges?

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014 Feb 28;

Authors: Buckland KF, Bobby Gaspar H

Abstract
The range of possible gene and cell therapy applications is expanding at an extremely rapid rate and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are currently the hottest topic in novel medicines, particularly for inherited diseases. Paediatric patients stand to gain enormously from these novel therapies as it now seems plausible to develop a gene or cell therapy for a vast number of inherited diseases. There are a wide variety of potential therapies in various stages of disease development. Patients who received first gene therapy treatments for primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) are reaching 10 and 15years post-treatment, with robust and sustained immune recovery. Cell therapy clinical trials are underway for a variety of tissues including corneal, retinal and muscle repair and islet cell transplantation. Various cell therapy approaches are also being trialled to enhance the safety of bone marrow transplants, which should improve survival rates in childhood cancers and PIDs. Progress in genetic engineering of lymphocyte populations to target and kill cancerous cells is also described. If successful these ATMPs may enhance or replace the existing chemo-ablative therapy for several paediatric cancers. Emerging applications of gene therapy now include skin and neurological disorders such as epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy and leukodystrophy. Gene therapy trials for haemophilia, muscular dystrophy and a range of metabolic disorders are underway. There is a vast array of potential advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), and these are likely to be more cost effective than existing medicines. However, the first clinical trials have not been without setbacks and some of the key adverse events are discussed. Furthermore, the arrival of this novel class of therapies brings many new challenges for the healthcare industry. We present a summary of the key non-clinical factors required for successful delivery of these potential treatments. Technological advances are needed in vector design, raw material manufacture, cell culture and transduction methodology, and particularly in making all these technologies readily scalable.

PMID: 24583376 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Clinical picture and treatment of 2212 patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 Feb 27;

Authors: Gathmann B, Mahlaoui N, for CEREDIH, Gérard L, Oksenhendler E, Warnatz K, Schulze I, Kindle G, Kuijpers TW, Dutch WID, van Beem RT, Guzman D, Workman S, Soler-Palacín P, De Gracia J, Witte T, Schmidt RE, Litzman J, Hlavackova E, Thon V, Borte M, Borte S, Kumararatne D, Feighery C, Longhurst H, Helbert M, Szaflarska A, Sediva A, Belohradsky BH, Jones A, Baumann U, Meyts I, Kutukculer N, Wågström P, Galal NM, Roesler J, Farmaki E, Zinovieva N, Ciznar P, Papadopoulou-Alataki E, Bienemann K, Velbri S, Panahloo Z, Grimbacher B, for the European Society for Immunodeficiencies Registry Working Party

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is an antibody deficiency with an equal sex distribution and a high variability in clinical presentation. The main features include respiratory tract infections and their associated complications, enteropathy, autoimmunity, and lymphoproliferative disorders.
OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the clinical presentation, association between clinical features, and differences and effects of immunoglobulin treatment in Europe.
METHODS: Data on 2212 patients with CVID from 28 medical centers contributing to the European Society for Immunodeficiencies Database were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: Early disease onset (<10 years) was very frequent in our cohort (33.7%), especially in male subjects (39.8%). Male subjects with early-onset CVID were more prone to pneumonia and less prone to other complications suggesting a distinct disease entity. The diagnostic delay of CVID ranges between 4 and 5 years in many countries and is particularly high in subjects with early-onset CVID. Enteropathy, autoimmunity, granulomas, and splenomegaly formed a set of interrelated features, whereas bronchiectasis was not associated with any other clinical feature. Patient survival in this cohort was associated with age at onset and age at diagnosis only. There were different treatment strategies in Europe, with considerable differences in immunoglobulin dosing, ranging from 130 up to 750 mg/kg/mo. Patients with very low trough levels of less than 4 g/L had poor clinical outcomes, whereas higher trough levels were associated with a reduced frequency of serious bacterial infections.
CONCLUSION: Patients with CVID are being managed differently throughout Europe, affecting various outcome measures. Clinically, CVID is a truly variable antibody deficiency syndrome.

PMID: 24582312 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Recommendations for live viral and bacterial vaccines in immunodeficient patients and their close contacts.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 Feb 27;

Authors: Medical Advisory Committee of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Shearer WT, Fleisher TA, Buckley RH, Ballas Z, Ballow M, Blaese RM, Bonilla FA, Conley ME, -Cunningham-Rundles C, Filipovich AH, Fuleihan R, Gelfand EW, Hernandez-Trujillo V, Holland SM, Hong R, Lederman HM, Malech HL, Miles S, Notarangelo LD, Ochs HD, Orange JS, Puck JM, Routes JM, Stiehm ER, Sullivan K, Torgerson T, Winkelstein J

Abstract
The present uncertainty of which live viral or bacterial vaccines can be given to immunodeficient patients and the growing neglect of societal adherence to routine immunizations has prompted the Medical Advisory Committee of the Immune Deficiency Foundation to issue recommendations based on published literature and the collective experience of the committee members. These recommendations address the concern for immunodeficient patients acquiring infections from healthy subjects who have not been immunized or who are shedding live vaccine-derived viral or bacterial organisms. Such transmission of infectious agents can occur within the hospital, clinic, or home or at any public gathering. Collectively, we define this type of transmission as close-contact spread of infectious disease that is particularly relevant in patients with impaired immunity who might have an infection when exposed to subjects carrying vaccine-preventable infectious diseases or who have recently received a live vaccine. Immunodeficient patients who have received therapeutic hematopoietic stem transplantation are also at risk during the time when immune reconstitution is incomplete or while they are receiving immunosuppressive agents to prevent or treat graft-versus-host disease. This review recommends the general education of what is known about vaccine-preventable or vaccine-derived diseases being spread to immunodeficient patients at risk for close-contact spread of infection and describes the relative risks for a child with severe immunodeficiency. The review also recommends a balance between the need to protect vulnerable subjects and their social needs to integrate into society, attend school, and benefit from peer education.

PMID: 24582311 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Identification of another mutation in the TLR3 pathway leading to susceptibility to HSV-1 encephalitis in infancy.

Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis in Human UNC-93B Deficiency.

A great editorial by Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova about the paradigm shift occurring in PID.

Primary Immunodeficiencies: A Field in Its Infancy.