Sirolimus is effective in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-type III: A pedigree case report with homozygous variation PRKCD

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) usually presents in childhood with fever, nonmalignant splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy along with cytopenia, which is caused by mutations in the FAS apoptotic pathway. The TCRαβ + CD4/CD8 double-negative T cells (DNT), one of required criteria of ALPS, will rise markedly in ALPS. Human Protein kinase C delta (PRKCD) deficiency (OMIM # 615559) was recently identified to be causative for an ALPS-type III with significant B-cell proliferation particularly of immature B cells. We report a pedigree homozygous variation of PRKCD gene (c.36T>G, p. Y12X) which presented with refractory cytopenia, splenomegaly, and polarization of DNT/regulatory T cells (Treg) axis. After repeated recurrence, the patient was treated with mTOR inhibitor sirolimus, which had a safety mechanism and specifically rebalance the DNT/Treg axis. The patient’s hemoglobin and clinical condition improved gradually by the application of sirolimus (1.5 mg/m2, actual blood concentration 4.27–10.3 ng/l). Homozygous variation in PRKCD may lead to typical ALPS clinical manifestations. Targeting DNT/Treg axis, use of sirolimus in such patients may help to achieve good clinical control.