Premium
Advances in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndromes
Author(s) -
Madkaikar Manisha,
Mhatre Snehal,
Gupta Maya,
Ghosh Kanjaksha
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2011.01617.x
Subject(s) - autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome , immunology , medicine , fas ligand , neuroblastoma ras viral oncogene homolog , lymphoproliferative disorders , autoimmunity , hepatosplenomegaly , lymphocytosis , disease , lymphoma , fas receptor , biology , kras , pathology , cancer , genetics , immune system , apoptosis , colorectal cancer , programmed cell death
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a disorder of lymphocyte homeostasis. It is characterized by non‐malignant lymphoproliferation autoimmunity mostly directed toward blood cells and increased risk of lymphoma. Majority of patients with ALPS harbor heterozygous germline mutations in the gene for the TNF receptor‐family member Fas (CD 95, Apo‐1) which are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Somatic Fas mutations are the second most common genetic etiology of ALPS. Additionally mutations in the genes encoding Fas‐ligand ( FASLG ), caspase 10 ( CASP10 ) and caspase 8 ( CASP8 ), NRAS and KRAS have been identified in a small number of patients with ALPS and related disorders. Approximately one‐third of patients with ALPS have yet unidentified defect. ALPS was initially thought to be a very rare disease, but recent studies have shown that it may be more common than previously thought. Testing for ALPS should therefore be considered in patients with unexplained lymphadenopathy, cytopenias, and hepatosplenomegaly. There have been significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of ALPS in last few years which has resulted in the development of new diagnostic criteria and a number of targeted therapies. This review describes the clinical and laboratory manifestations found in patients with ALPS, as well as the molecular basis for the disease and new advances in treatment.