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Tan IJ, Ferrada MA, Ahmad S, Fike A, Quinn KA, Groarke EM, Beck DB, Allbritton J, Castelo-Soccio L, Young NS, Patel BA, Grayson PC, Cowen EW. Skin Manifestations of VEXAS Syndrome and Associated Genotypes. JAMA Dermatol 2024:2819457. [PMID: 38865133 PMCID: PMC11170453 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.1657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Importance VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly defined genetic disease with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 4269 men older than 50 years and is marked by systemic inflammation, progressive bone marrow failure, and inflammatory cutaneous manifestations. Objective To define the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in VEXAS syndrome and the association of these findings with clinical, genetic, and histological features. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational cohort study included data from 112 patients who were diagnosed with VEXAS-defining genetic variants in UBA1 between 2019 and 2023. Data were collected from medical record review or from patients with VEXAS directly evaluated at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Main Outcomes and Measures To define the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in VEXAS in association with genetic, histological, and other clinical findings. A secondary outcome was cutaneous response to treatment in VEXAS. Results Among the 112 patients (median [range] age, 69 [39-79] years; 111 [99%] male), skin involvement was common (93 [83%]), and the most frequent presenting feature of disease (68 [61%]). Of 64 histopathologic reports available from 60 patients, predominant skin histopathologic findings were leukocytoclastic vasculitis (23 [36%]), neutrophilic dermatosis (22 [34%]), and perivascular dermatitis (19 [30%]). Distinct pathogenic genetic variants were associated with specific cutaneous manifestations. The p.Met41Leu variant was most frequently associated with neutrophilic dermal infiltrates (14 of 17 patients [82%]), often resembling histiocytoid Sweet syndrome. In contrast, the p.Met41Val variant was associated with vasculitic lesions (11 of 20 patients [55%]) with a mixed leukocytic infiltrate (17 of 20 patients [85%]). Oral prednisone improved skin manifestations in 67 of 73 patients (92%). Patients with VEXAS treated with anakinra frequently developed severe injection-site reactions (12 of 16 [75%]), including ulceration (2 of 12 [17%]) and abscess formation (1 of 12 [8%]). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study show that skin manifestations are a common and early manifestation of VEXAS syndrome. Genetic evaluation for VEXAS should be considered in older male patients with cutaneous vasculitis, neutrophilic dermatoses, or chondritis. Awareness of VEXAS among dermatologists is critical to facilitate early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella J. Tan
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | | | - Alice Fike
- Vasculitis Translational Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kaitlin A. Quinn
- Vasculitis Translational Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emma M. Groarke
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David B. Beck
- Department of Medicine and Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York
| | | | - Leslie Castelo-Soccio
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Neal S. Young
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Bhavisha A. Patel
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter C. Grayson
- Vasculitis Translational Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Edward W. Cowen
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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2
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Bica BERG, de Souza AWS, Pereira IA. Unveiling the clinical spectrum of relapsing polychondritis: insights into its pathogenesis, novel monogenic causes, and therapeutic strategies. Adv Rheumatol 2024; 64:29. [PMID: 38627861 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-024-00365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem disease involving cartilaginous and proteoglycan-rich structures. The diagnosis of this disease is mainly suggested by the presence of flares of inflammation of the cartilage, particularly in the ears, nose or respiratory tract, and more rarely, in the presence of other manifestations. The spectrum of clinical presentations may vary from intermittent episodes of painful and often disfiguring auricular and nasal chondritis to an occasional organ or even life-threatening manifestations such as lower airway collapse. There is a lack of awareness about this disease is mainly due to its rarity. In 2020, VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome, a novel autoinflammatory syndrome, was described. VEXAS syndrome is attributed to somatic mutations in methionine-41 of UBA1, the major E1 enzyme that initiates ubiquitylation. This new disease entity connects seemingly unrelated conditions: systemic inflammatory syndromes (relapsing chondritis, Sweet's syndrome, and neutrophilic dermatosis) and hematologic disorders (myelodysplastic syndrome or multiple myeloma). Therefore, this article reviews the current literature on both disease entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca E R G Bica
- Reumatology Division of Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Esteves Junior 62, CEP 22231-160, Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Ivânio Alves Pereira
- Reumatologia da Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina-UNISUL, Florian?polis, RJ, Brazil
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3
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Bellman P, Gonzalez-Lugo JD, Shahzad M, Amin MK, Khalid MF, Suleman N, Ahmed N, Singh AK, Yacoub A, Zhang D, McGuirk JP, Mushtaq MU. Successful treatment with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in a VEXAS syndrome patient with associated myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report and systematic review. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1383730. [PMID: 38665946 PMCID: PMC11043578 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1383730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vacuoles, E1 syndrome, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects various organ systems. It is associated with hematologic malignancies and is generally refractory to therapies. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) may be considered for selected patients. We report a case wherein systemic and hematological manifestations completely resolved in a patient with VEXAS and associated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), following the administration of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide as part of the preparation for allo-HSCT. We conducted a systematic literature review and included 86 patients with VEXAS syndrome and associated MDS. Most cases presented with musculoskeletal involvement (71%) and anemia (72%) with lower-risk MDS. Most patients responded to corticosteroids (CS) but had a recurrence of symptoms with CS taper and were refractory to other immunosuppressive agents. Hypomethylating agents and Janus kinase inhibitors achieved a complete response in some cases. Further research is needed to develop more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Bellman
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Jesus D. Gonzalez-Lugo
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Moazzam Shahzad
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Muhammad Kashif Amin
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Fareed Khalid
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nahid Suleman
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Anurag K. Singh
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Abdulraheem Yacoub
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Da Zhang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Joseph P. McGuirk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Umair Mushtaq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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4
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Zeisbrich M, Schindler V, Krausz M, Proietti M, Mrovecova P, Voll RE, Glaser C, Röther F, Warnatz K, Venhoff N. [Macrocytic anemia and polychondritis: VEXAS syndrome]. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:229-233. [PMID: 36735069 PMCID: PMC10973061 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-023-01318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene on the X chromosome was first reported in 2020. This VEXAS syndrome (acronym for vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is characterized by an overlap of rheumatic inflammatory diseases with separate hematologic abnormalities. A substantial number of affected patients suffer from treatment refractory relapsing polychondritis and nearly always show signs of macrocytic anemia. This case report illustrates the diagnostic key points to recognizing patients with VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Zeisbrich
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland.
| | - Viktoria Schindler
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Máté Krausz
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Biologische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Michele Proietti
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Pavla Mrovecova
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Reinhard E Voll
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Cornelia Glaser
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Fabian Röther
- Praxis für Rheumatologie in Donaueschingen, Sonnenhaldenstr. 2, 78166, Donaueschingen, Deutschland
| | - Klaus Warnatz
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Nils Venhoff
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
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5
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Gurnari C, Koster L, Baaij L, Heiblig M, Yakoub-Agha I, Collin M, Passweg J, Bulabois CE, Khan A, Loschi M, Carnevale-Schianca F, Crisà E, Caravelli D, Kuball J, Saraceni F, Olivieri A, Rambaldi A, Kulasekararaj AG, Hayden PJ, Badoglio M, Onida F, Scheid C, Franceschini F, Mekinian A, Savic S, Voso MT, Drozd-Sokolowska J, Snowden JA, Raj K, Alexander T, Robin M, Greco R, McLornan DP. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for VEXAS syndrome: results of a multicenter study of the EBMT. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1444-1448. [PMID: 38330178 PMCID: PMC10955646 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research Department, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | | | | | - Mael Heiblig
- Department of Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Anjum Khan
- Yorkshire Blood & Marrow Transplant Program, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Elena Crisà
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | | | - Jürgen Kuball
- Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alessandro Rambaldi
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Milan and Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Patrick J. Hayden
- Department of Haematology, Trinity College Dublin, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Francesco Onida
- ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Franco Franceschini
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arsène Mekinian
- Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Service de médecine interne et Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department, Paris, France
| | - Sinisa Savic
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Teresa Voso
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - John A Snowden
- Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Kavita Raj
- University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Alexander
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Raffaella Greco
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Donal P. McLornan
- University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Saad AJ, Patil MK, Cruz N, Lam CS, O'Brien C, Nambudiri VE. VEXAS syndrome: A review of cutaneous findings and treatments in an emerging autoinflammatory disease. Exp Dermatol 2024; 33:e15050. [PMID: 38469984 DOI: 10.1111/exd.15050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic mutation) syndrome is a novel autoinflammatory, late-onset, disorder first identified in 2020. It is caused by mutations in the UBA1 gene. The most prominent clinical features reported by VEXAS patients are cutaneous and haematological, having characteristic skin features reported as the initial presenting findings of the disease. VEXAS is a severe and treatment-resistant condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. Here, we examine all case reports and case series of VEXAS syndrome through March 2023 focusing on those presenting cutaneous manifestations. We discuss these manifestations and their reported treatment strategies. In many cases, it might be first suspected and diagnosed by dermatologists, highlighting their vital role in initiating timely multidisciplinary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis J Saad
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Transplant Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mihir K Patil
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicolas Cruz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chloe S Lam
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Connor O'Brien
- Transplant Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vinod E Nambudiri
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Koster MJ, Lasho TL, Olteanu H, Reichard KK, Mangaonkar A, Warrington KJ, Patnaik MM. VEXAS syndrome: Clinical, hematologic features and a practical approach to diagnosis and management. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:284-299. [PMID: 37950858 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is a newly identified disease caused by somatic alterations in UBA1 which produce a recalcitrant inflammatory state along with hematologic disturbances. Patients with VEXAS can have a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and providers should be familiar with the heterogeneity of associated clinical features. While hematologic parameters may be generally non-specific, peripheral blood features of macrocytosis, monocytopenia, and/or thrombocytopenia coupled with bone marrow vacuolization of erythroid or myeloid precursors should raise suspicion for this condition. Due to an increased mortality, prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis is paramount. Access to testing for confirmation of UBA1 variants is not yet universally available but clinicians should understand the current available options for genetic confirmation of this disease. Treatment options are limited due to lack of prospective clinical trials but cytokine directed therapies such as interleukin-6 inhibitors and JAK-STAT inhibitors as well as hypomethylating agents such as azacitidine have shown evidence of partial effect. Though cases are limited, allogeneic stem cell transplantation holds promise for durable response and potential cure. The intent of this review is to outline the pathophysiology of VEXAS syndrome and to provide a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Terra L Lasho
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Horatiu Olteanu
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kaaren K Reichard
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Abhishek Mangaonkar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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8
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Kanagal-Shamanna R, Beck DB, Calvo KR. Clonal Hematopoiesis, Inflammation, and Hematologic Malignancy. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:479-506. [PMID: 37832948 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-051222-122724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Somatic or acquired mutations are postzygotic genetic variations that can occur within any tissue. These mutations accumulate during aging and have classically been linked to malignant processes. Tremendous advancements over the past years have led to a deeper understanding of the role of somatic mutations in benign and malignant age-related diseases. Here, we review the somatic mutations that accumulate in the blood and their connection to disease states, with a particular focus on inflammatory diseases and myelodysplastic syndrome. We include a definition of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and an overview of the origins and implications of these mutations. In addition, we emphasize somatic disorders with overlapping inflammation and hematologic disease beyond CH, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and aplastic anemia, focusing on VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Finally, we provide a practical view of the implications of somatic mutations in clinical hematology, pathology, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
- Department of Hematopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David B Beck
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine R Calvo
- Hematology Section, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;
- Myeloid Malignancies Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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9
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Nicholson LT, Cowen EW, Beck D, Ferrada M, Madigan LM. VEXAS Syndrome-Diagnostic Clues for the Dermatologist and Gaps in Our Current Understanding: A Narrative Review. JID INNOVATIONS 2024; 4:100242. [PMID: 38130326 PMCID: PMC10733701 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome is a newly recognized, acquired autoinflammatory disorder with broad systemic implications and a poor global prognosis. Because cutaneous lesions are present in the majority of those affected, it is necessary that dermatologists are equipped to recognize this important disease. Through identification, there is a greater opportunity for disease stratification, surveillance for systemic involvement, and selection of the best available therapies. As our understanding of this disease develops, dermatologists should also play a role in addressing the knowledge gaps that exist.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward W. Cowen
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David Beck
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Marcela Ferrada
- Rheumatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren M. Madigan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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10
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Padureanu V, Marinaș CM, Bobirca A, Padureanu R, Patrascu S, Dascalu AM, Bobirca F, Tribus L, Alexandru C, Serboiu C, Dumitrascu C, Musetescu A. Clinical Manifestations in Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-Linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e53041. [PMID: 38410307 PMCID: PMC10895688 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The newly identified refractory adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome known as VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is brought on by somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that change the expression of the UBA1 isoform. As a result, patients have a variety of hematologic and systemic inflammatory symptoms. All types of medical professionals should treat VEXAS syndrome seriously due to the high fatality rate. To better comprehend the condition and enhance the prognosis for VEXAS syndrome, this review article describes the essential traits and clinical signs of the condition. The discussion of future directions in the study of systemic inflammatory disorders brought on by somatic mutations concludes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Padureanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | | | - Anca Bobirca
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Rodica Padureanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | - Stefan Patrascu
- Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | - Ana Maria Dascalu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Florin Bobirca
- Department of General Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Laura Tribus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Oral Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Cristina Alexandru
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Crenguta Serboiu
- Department of Histology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Catalin Dumitrascu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Anca Musetescu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
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Chiaramida A, Obwar SG, Nordstrom AEH, Ericsson M, Saldanha A, Ivanova EV, Griffin GK, Khan DH, Belizaire R. Sensitivity to targeted UBA1 inhibition in a myeloid cell line model of VEXAS syndrome. Blood Adv 2023; 7:7445-7456. [PMID: 38091008 PMCID: PMC10758730 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic UBA1 mutations in hematopoietic cells are a hallmark of Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) syndrome, which is a late-onset inflammatory disease associated with bone marrow failure and high mortality. The majority of UBA1 mutations in VEXAS syndrome comprise hemizygous mutations affecting methionine-41 (M41), leading to the expression of UBA1M41T, UBA1M41V, or UBA1M41L and globally reduced protein polyubiquitination. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer isogenic 32D mouse myeloid cell lines expressing hemizygous Uba1WT or Uba1M41L from the endogenous locus. Consistent with prior analyses of patients with VEXAS syndrome samples, hemizygous Uba1M41L expression was associated with loss of the UBA1b protein isoform, gain of the UBA1c protein isoform, reduced polyubiquitination, abnormal cytoplasmic vacuoles, and increased production of interleukin-1β and inflammatory chemokines. Vacuoles in Uba1M41L cells contained a variety of endolysosomal membranes, including small vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and multilamellar lysosomes. Uba1M41L cells were more sensitive to the UBA1 inhibitor TAK243. TAK243 treatment promoted apoptosis in Uba1M41L cells and led to preferential loss of Uba1M41L cells in competition assays with Uba1WT cells. Knock-in of a TAK243-binding mutation, Uba1A580S, conferred TAK243 resistance. In addition, overexpression of catalytically active UBA1b in Uba1M41L cells restored polyubiquitination and increased TAK243 resistance. Altogether, these data indicate that loss of UBA1b underlies a key biochemical phenotype associated with VEXAS syndrome and renders cells with reduced UBA1 activity vulnerable to targeted UBA1 inhibition. Our Uba1M41L knock-in cell line is a useful model of VEXAS syndrome that will aid in the study of disease pathogenesis and the development of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra G. Obwar
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Maria Ericsson
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Aisha Saldanha
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Elena V. Ivanova
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Dilshad H. Khan
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Roger Belizaire
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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12
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Mascaro JM, Rodriguez-Pinto I, Poza G, Mensa-Vilaro A, Fernandez-Martin J, Caminal-Montero L, Espinosa G, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Diaz M, Rita-Marques J, Sanmarti R, Castañeda S, Colunga D, Coto-Hernández R, Fanlo P, Elejalde JI, Bujan S, Figueras I, Marco FM, Andrés M, Suárez S, Gonzalez-Garcia A, Fustà-Novell X, Garcia-Belando C, Granados A, Fernandez-Figueras MT, Quilis N, Orriols-Caba M, Gómez de la Torre R, Cid MC, Espígol-Frigolé G, Alvarez-Abella A, Labrador E, Rozman M, Lopez-Guerra M, Castillo P, Alamo-Moreno JR, Gonzalez-Roca E, Plaza S, Fabregat V, Lara R, Vicente-Rabaneda EF, Tejedor-Vaquero S, Magri G, Bonet N, Solis-Moruno M, Cerutti A, Fornas O, Casals F, Yagüe J, Aróstegui JI. Spanish cohort of VEXAS syndrome: clinical manifestations, outcome of treatments and novel evidences about UBA1 mosaicism. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:1594-1605. [PMID: 37666646 PMCID: PMC10646843 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vacuoles, E1-enzyme, X linked, autoinflammatory and somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease (AID) due to postzygotic UBA1 variants. OBJECTIVES To investigate the presence of VEXAS syndrome among patients with adult-onset undiagnosed AID. Additional studies evaluated the mosaicism distribution and the circulating cytokines. METHODS Gene analyses were performed by both Sanger and amplicon-based deep sequencing. Patients' data were collected from their medical charts. Cytokines were quantified by Luminex. RESULTS Genetic analyses of enrolled patients (n=42) identified 30 patients carrying UBA1 pathogenic variants, with frequencies compatible for postzygotic variants. All patients were male individuals who presented with a late-onset disease (mean 67.5 years; median 67.0 years) characterised by cutaneous lesions (90%), fever (66.7%), pulmonary manifestations (66.7%) and arthritis (53.3%). Macrocytic anaemia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ferritin were the most relevant analytical abnormalities. Glucocorticoids ameliorated the inflammatory manifestations, but most patients became glucocorticoid-dependent. Positive responses were obtained when targeting the haematopoietic component of the disease with either decitabine or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additional analyses detected the UBA1 variants in both haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic tissues. Finally, analysis of circulating cytokines did not identify inflammatory mediators of the disease. CONCLUSION Thirty patients with adult-onset AID were definitively diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome through genetic analyses. Despite minor interindividual differences, their main characteristics were in concordance with previous reports. We detected for the first time the UBA1 mosaicism in non-haematopoietic tissue, which questions the previous concept of myeloid-restricted mosaicism and may have conceptual consequences for the disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Mascaro
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Gabriela Poza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Anna Mensa-Vilaro
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Luis Caminal-Montero
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Gerard Espinosa
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Hernández-Rodríguez
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Diaz
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Rita-Marques
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raimon Sanmarti
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
- Cátedra UAM-Roche, EPID-Future, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Colunga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Rubén Coto-Hernández
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Patricia Fanlo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Segundo Bujan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Figueras
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Manuel Marco
- Department of Immunology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante Dr Balmis, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research, Alicante, Spain
| | - Mariano Andrés
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research, Alicante, Spain
- Seccion de Reumatologia, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Department of Clinic Medicine, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Silvia Suárez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Valle del Nalón, Langreo, Spain
| | - Andres Gonzalez-Garcia
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal | IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Clara Garcia-Belando
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ana Granados
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | | | - Neus Quilis
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitari de Vinalopo, Elche, Spain
| | - Maria Orriols-Caba
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital comarcal Alt Penedès, Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf, Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain
| | | | - Maria Cinta Cid
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georgina Espígol-Frigolé
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Maria Rozman
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monica Lopez-Guerra
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Castillo
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eva Gonzalez-Roca
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Plaza
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rocio Lara
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther F Vicente-Rabaneda
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Giuliana Magri
- Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Bonet
- Genomics Core Facility, Departament de Medicina i Ciències de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Solis-Moruno
- Genomics Core Facility, Departament de Medicina i Ciències de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Cerutti
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Fornas
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Center of Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Casals
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Yagüe
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan I Aróstegui
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Djerbi N, Zimmermann K, Roncador M, Becker MO, Manz MG, Balabanov S. Intrapatient competition of VEXAS syndrome and CML clones. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6815-6818. [PMID: 37738165 PMCID: PMC10679802 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Djerbi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Zimmermann
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Roncador
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische technische Hochschule Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mike Oliver Becker
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus G. Manz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Balabanov
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Boyadzhieva Z, Ruffer N, Kötter I, Krusche M. How to treat VEXAS syndrome: a systematic review on effectiveness and safety of current treatment strategies. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:3518-3525. [PMID: 37233149 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of current treatment strategies for the vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome. METHODS A protocolized systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Three databases were searched for reports on treatment strategies for VEXAS. Data from the included publications was extracted and a narrative synthesis was performed. Treatment response was recorded as complete (CR), partial (PR) or none (NR) depending on changes in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters. Patient characteristics, safety data and previous treatments were analysed. RESULTS We identified 36 publications with a total of 116 patients; 113 (98.3%) were male. The identified reports included azacytidine (CR 9/36, 25%; PR 14/36, 38.9%), Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) (CR 11/33, 33%; PR 9/33, 27.3%), tocilizumab (CR 3/15, 20%; PR 6/15, 40%), allogeneic stem cell transplantation (CR 6/7, 85.7%; one patient died), anakinra (CR 4/5, 80%; NR 1/5, 20%), canakinumab (CR 1/2, 50%; PR 1/2, 50%) and glucocorticoid monotherapy (CR 1/6, 16.7%; PR 4/6, 66.7%). Individual reports were available for TNF inhibitors, rituximab and MTX. Data on adverse events were available for 67 patients (67/116, 57.8%) and included: pneumonia (12/67, 17.9%), other infections (9/67, 13.4%), venous thromboembolisms (6/67, 8.9%), cytopenias (4/67, 5.9%), and acute (4/67, 5.9%) and chronic graft-vs-host-disease (2/67, 2.9%). CONCLUSION Current data on VEXAS treatment are limited and inhomogeneous. Treatment decisions should be individualized. For the devolvement of treatment algorithms clinical trials are needed. Adverse events remain a challenge, especially an elevated risk for venous thromboembolism associated to JAKi treatment should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhivana Boyadzhieva
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolas Ruffer
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ina Kötter
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Klinikum Bad Bramstedt, Bad Bramstedt, Germany
| | - Martin Krusche
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly defined refractory adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome caused by somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, resulting in a shift in UBA1 isoform expression. Thus, patients develop a spectrum of systemic inflammatory manifestations and hematologic symptoms. To date, patients respond poorly to immune suppressive drugs, except high-dose glucocorticoids, and no treatment guidelines have been established. Given the high mortality rate, VEXAS syndrome needs to be taken seriously by physicians in all specialties. This article aims to describe the key features, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of VEXAS syndrome to better understand the targeted treatment and improve the prognosis of VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xifeng Dong
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huaquan Wang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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16
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Koster MJ, Samec MJ, Warrington KJ. VEXAS Syndrome-A Review of Pathophysiology, Presentation, and Prognosis. J Clin Rheumatol 2023; 29:298-306. [PMID: 36251488 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000001905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT VEXAS ( V acuoles, E 1 enzyme, X -linked, A utoinflammatory, S omatic) syndrome is a newly identified disease caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene resulting in refractory autoinflammatory features, frequently accompanied by cytopenias. Although the prevalence of this syndrome is yet unknown, understanding the clinical phenotype can assist clinicians in prompt recognition of cases among patients with glucocorticoid-responsive but immunosuppressive-resistant inflammatory symptoms. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment, and prognosis of VEXAS are herein reviewed.
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17
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Kouranloo K, Ashley A, Zhao SS, Dey M. Pulmonary manifestations in VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome: a systematic review. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1023-1032. [PMID: 36617363 PMCID: PMC10126013 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05266-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, auto-inflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly described auto-inflammatory disease. Many cases feature pulmonary infiltrates or respiratory failure. This systematic review aimed to summarize respiratory manifestations in VEXAS syndrome described to date. METHODS Databases were searched for articles discussing VEXAS syndrome until May 2022. The research question was: What are the pulmonary manifestations in patients with VEXAS syndrome? The search was restricted to English language and those discussing clinical presentation of disease. Information on basic demographics, type and prevalence of pulmonary manifestations, co-existing disease associations and author conclusions on pulmonary involvement were extracted. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO register of systematic reviews. RESULTS Initially, 219 articles were retrieved with 36 ultimately included (all case reports or series). A total of 269 patients with VEXAS were included, 98.6% male, mean age 66.8 years at disease onset. The most frequently described pulmonary manifestation was infiltrates (43.1%; n = 116), followed by pleural effusion (7.4%; n = 20) and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (3.3%; n = 9). Other pulmonary manifestations were: nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (n = 1), bronchiolitis obliterans (n = 3), pulmonary vasculitis (n = 6), bronchiectasis (n = 1), alveolar haemorrhage (n = 1), pulmonary embolism (n = 4), bronchial stenosis (n = 1), and alveolitis (n = 1). Several patients had one or more co-existing autoimmune/inflammatory condition. It was not reported which patients had particular pulmonary manifestations. CONCLUSION This is the first systematic review undertaken in VEXAS patients. Our results demonstrate that pulmonary involvement is common in this patient group. It is unclear if respiratory manifestations are part of the primary disease or a co-existing condition. Larger epidemiological analyses will aid further characterisation of pulmonary involvement and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushan Kouranloo
- School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK.
- Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK.
| | - Athea Ashley
- Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, Yorkshire, UK
| | - Sizheng Steven Zhao
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mrinalini Dey
- Department of Rheumatology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Rd, London, SE18 4QH, UK
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
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18
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Battipaglia G, Vincenzi A, Falconi G, Fiore A, D'Agostino F, Iannotta R, Grimaldi F, Gurnari C, Galossi E, Crisà E, Bonello F, Scalia G, Izzo B, Voso MT, Pane F. New scenarios in Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) syndrome: Evolution from myelodysplastic syndrome to acute myeloid leukemia. Curr Res Transl Med 2023; 71:103386. [PMID: 36905702 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2023.103386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Battipaglia
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hematology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Vincenzi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Falconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fiore
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Agostino
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Iannotta
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Grimaldi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hematology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Elisa Galossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Crisà
- Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (Torino), Italy
| | - Francesca Bonello
- Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (Torino), Italy
| | - Giulia Scalia
- Centre for Advanced Biotechnology (CEINGE), Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Izzo
- Centre for Advanced Biotechnology (CEINGE), Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University Federico II and Centre for Advanced Biotechnology (CEINGE), Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Voso
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Pane
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Hematology Department, Naples, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hematology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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19
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Bruno A, Gurnari C, Alexander T, Snowden JA, Greco R. Autoimmune manifestations in VEXAS: Opportunities for integration and pitfalls to interpretation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:1204-1214. [PMID: 36948992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) is a novel entity manifesting with a multiplicity of clinical features. Somatic mutations of the UBA1 gene in hematopoietic stem cells constitute the genetic basis of VEXAS. As an X-linked disorder, most cases occur in men, classically developing symptoms during the fifth to sixth decade of life. Considering its multidisciplinary nature involving numerous branches of internal medicine, VEXAS has elicited a wide medical interest and several medical conditions have been associated with this disease. Even so, its recognition in everyday clinical practice is not necessarily straightforward. Close collaboration between different medical specialists is mandatory. Patients with VEXAS may manifest a range of features from manageable cytopenias to disabling and life-threatening autoimmune phenomena with limited responses to therapy, with the potential for progression to hematological malignancies. Diagnostic and treatment guidelines are exploratory and include a range of rheumatological and supportive care treatments. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is potentially curative, but its risks are significant and its position in the treatment algorithm is yet to be defined. Herein, we present the variegated manifestations of VEXAS, provide practice criteria for diagnostic testing of UBA1, and discuss potential treatment options, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, current evidence, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bruno
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Tobias Alexander
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - John A Snowden
- Sheffield Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Programme, Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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Hines AS, Mohandesi NA, Lehman JS, Koster MJ, Cantwell HM, Alavi A, Warrington KJ, Mangaonkar AA, Go RS, Patnaik MM, Sartori-Valinotti JC. Cutaneous involvement in VEXAS syndrome: clinical and histopathologic findings. Int J Dermatol 2023. [PMID: 36890121 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease with frequent cutaneous manifestations. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with genetically confirmed VEXAS syndrome seen at our institution. Available clinical photographs and skin biopsy slides were reviewed. RESULTS Cutaneous manifestations developed in 22/25 (88%) patients with VEXAS syndrome. From this group, 10/22 (45%) developed skin involvement before or at the time of other clinical features of VEXAS. Twenty distinct dermatologic presentations of VEXAS from 14 patients were reviewed, and histopathologic patterns were classified as follows: neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis (n = 5, 25%), leukocytoclastic/urticarial vasculitis (n = 4, 20%), urticarial tissue reaction (n = 4, 20%), neutrophilic dermatosis (n = 3, 15%), neutrophilic panniculitis (n = 2, 10%), and nonspecific chronic septal panniculitis (n = 2, 10%). Common systemic findings included macrocytic anemia (96%), fever (88%), thrombocytopenia (76%), weight loss (76%), ocular inflammation (64%), pulmonary infiltrates (56%), deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (52%), and inflammatory arthritis (52%). CONCLUSIONS Cutaneous involvement is a common feature of VEXAS syndrome, and histopathologic findings exist on a spectrum of neutrophilic inflammatory dermatoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julia S Lehman
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Afsaneh Alavi
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald S Go
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Heiblig M, Patel B, Jamilloux Y. VEXAS syndrome, a new kid on the block of auto-inflammatory diseases: A hematologist's point of view. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101861. [PMID: 37652853 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered VEXAS syndrome is caused by the clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells with acquired mutations in UBA1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of the ubiquitylation proteasome system. As a result, a shorter cytoplasmic isoform of UBA1 is transcribed, which is non-functional. The disease is characterized by non-specific and highly heterogeneous inflammatory manifestations and macrocytic anemia. VEXAS syndrome is a unique acquired hematological monogenic disease with unexpected association with hematological neoplasms. Despite its hematopoetic origin, patients with VEXAS syndrome usually present with multi-systemicinflammatory disease and are treated by physicians from many different specialties (rheumatologists, dermatologists, hematologistis, etc.). Furthermore, manifestations of VEXAS may fulfill criteria for existing diseases: relapsing polychondritis, giant cell arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and myelodysplastic syndrome. The goal of this review is to depict VEXAS syndrome from a hematologic point of view regarding its consequences on hematopoiesis and the current strategies on therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maël Heiblig
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Service d'hématologie clinique, Lyon, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de médecine et de maïeutique Lyon Sud Charles Mérieux, Lymphoma Immunobiology Team, Pierre Bénite, France.
| | - Bhavisha Patel
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yvan Jamilloux
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Service de médecine interne, Lyon, France
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Two years after the recognition of VEXAS (for Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome, we propose an extensive review of the current understanding of VEXAS pathophysiology and therapeutic options. RECENT FINDINGS Among the nearly 150 articles published about VEXAS, some have provided determinant insights into VEXAS pathophysiology and treatment. Clinical data from retrospective series support the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib as the most efficient strategy to control inflammation, and interesting results were also described with azacytidine. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option, but should be proposed to carefully selected patients. SUMMARY Although waiting for more robust evidence from prospective clinical trials, therapeutic options emerge from retrospective studies. We propose a set of criteria that should be systematically reported to harmonize the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. This will allow the collection of high-quality data and facilitate their subsequent meta-analysis with the overall aim of improving the management of VEXAS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Sujobert
- Hospices Civils de Lyon. Hôpital Lyon Sud, Service d'hématologie biologique, Lyon
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de médecine et de maïeutique Lyon Sud Charles Mérieux, Lymphoma Immunobiology Team, Pierre Bénite
| | - Maël Heiblig
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de médecine et de maïeutique Lyon Sud Charles Mérieux, Lymphoma Immunobiology Team, Pierre Bénite
- Hospices Civils de Lyon. Hôpital Lyon Sud, Service d'hématologie clinique, Lyon
| | - Yvan Jamilloux
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Service de médecine interne
- Lyon Immunopathology Federation (LIFE), Lyon University, Lyon, France
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23
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Mangaonkar AA, Langer KJ, Lasho TL, Finke C, Litzow MR, Hogan WJ, Shah MV, Go RS, Bartoo G, Kutzke J, McCullough KB, Koster M, Samec M, Warrington KJ, Reichard KK, Olteanu H, Riwes M, Patnaik MM, Alkhateeb HB. Reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in VEXAS syndrome: Data from a prospective series of patients. Am J Hematol 2023; 98:E28-E31. [PMID: 36403135 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek A Mangaonkar
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kimberly J Langer
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Terra L Lasho
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christy Finke
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mark R Litzow
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - William J Hogan
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mithun V Shah
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ronald S Go
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gabriel Bartoo
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jade Kutzke
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kristen B McCullough
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew Samec
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Horatiu Olteanu
- Dvision of Hematopathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mary Riwes
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hassan B Alkhateeb
- Dvision of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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24
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Vitale A, Caggiano V, Bimonte A, Caroni F, Tosi GM, Fabbiani A, Renieri A, Bocchia M, Frediani B, Fabiani C, Cantarini L. VEXAS syndrome: a new paradigm for adult-onset monogenic autoinflammatory diseases. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:711-722. [PMID: 36662445 PMCID: PMC10082120 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03193-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is a recently described pathological entity. It is an acquired monogenic autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic mutations of the UBA1 gene in blood cells precursors; the gene encodes one of the two E1 enzyme isoforms that initiates ubiquitylation in cell's cytoplasm. VEXAS syndrome leads to systemic inflammation, with all organs and tissues potentially involved. The clinical picture may be extremely heterogenous, mimicking different other systemic rheumatologic entities coexisting with haematological disorders, especially myelodysplastic syndrome. This new disease represents a very intriguing clinical condition in several respects: it accounts for the paradigm of adult-onset monogenic autoinflammatory diseases determined by a genetic mosaicism resulting in the development of a challenging multiorgan inflammatory condition. Moreover, VEXAS syndrome is perhaps not an exceptionally rare condition and represents an example of a systemic genetic autoinflammatory disease drawing its origin in bone marrow disorders. VEXAS syndrome should be strongly considered in each adult patient with an unexplained systemic inflammatory condition, especially when recurrent fevers, neutrophilic dermatosis, relapsing polychondritis, ocular inflammation and other systemic inflammatory symptoms accompanying myelodysplastic syndrome or other haematological disorders. The syndrome deserves a multidisciplinary approach to reach the diagnosis and ensure the best management of a potentially very challenging condition. To quickly describe the clinical course, long-term outcomes, and the optimal management of this new syndrome it is essential to join forces internationally. To this end, the international AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) registry dedicated to VEXAS syndrome has been developed and is already active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vitale
- Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic and Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Collaborative Uveitis Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Valeria Caggiano
- Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic and Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Collaborative Uveitis Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonio Bimonte
- Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic and Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Collaborative Uveitis Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Federico Caroni
- Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Tosi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabbiani
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Monica Bocchia
- Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic and Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Collaborative Uveitis Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic and Rheumatology-Ophthalmology Collaborative Uveitis Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Al-Hakim A, Poulter JA, Mahmoud D, Rose AMS, Elcombe S, Lachmann H, Cargo C, Duncan CJA, Bishton M, Bigley V, Khan A, Savic S. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for VEXAS syndrome: UK experience. Br J Haematol 2022; 199:777-781. [PMID: 36184391 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Al-Hakim
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - James A Poulter
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Dina Mahmoud
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Ailsa M S Rose
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Suzanne Elcombe
- Department of Immunology, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen Lachmann
- National Amyloidosis Centre Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Division of Medicine University, College London, London, UK
| | - Catherine Cargo
- Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher J A Duncan
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Northern Centre for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mark Bishton
- Department of haematology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
- Translational Medical Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - Venetia Bigley
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Northern Centre for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anjum Khan
- Department of Haematology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Sinisa Savic
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK
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26
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Yildirim D, Inan MA, Akyurek N, Tufan A. Vexas Syndrome Presenting As Long Covid-19. AKTUEL RHEUMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1887-5341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic)
syndrome is a recently described systemic inflammatory syndrome caused by
somatic mutations of UBA1. COVID-19 is a viral infection that was described in
2019 and spread widely and quickly all around the world. Constitutional,
thrombotic and pulmonary symptoms of these two conditions are similar, which is
why cases of VEXAS syndrome may be misdiagnosed as a COVID infection.
Case report We introduced a case report of a 72-year-old male patient with
VEXAS syndrome who had fever, fatigue, deep vein thrombosis and a cough and was
thought to have a long COVID-19 infection for one year. Then we diagnosed him
with VEXAS syndrome with vacuoles in myelomonocytic cells, skin lesions and a
mutation of the UBA-1 gene.
Conclusion VEXAS and long COVID are two new conditions with overlapping
clinical presentations. Physicians must be aware of these clinical conditions
because of their different treatment strategy and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Yildirim
- Rheumatology, Gazi Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara,
Turkey
| | | | - Nalan Akyurek
- pathology, Gazi Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara,
Turkey
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27
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Rasch MNB, Szabados F, Jensen JMB, Nielsen KO, Hauge EM, Troldborg A. Patients with VEXAS diagnosed in a Danish tertiary rheumatology setting have highly elevated inflammatory markers, macrocytic anaemia and negative autoimmune biomarkers. RMD Open 2022; 8:e002492. [PMID: 38967099 PMCID: PMC9462080 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) is an autoinflammatory condition with overlapping features of rheumatology and haematology caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene. Patients present with highly variable symptoms and their path towards diagnosis are often complicated and characterised by extensive examinations. It is, therefore, pivotal that clinicians become familiar with the clinical presentation of VEXAS to advance identification of patients with the disease. OBJECTIVES We aimed to (1) characterise patients diagnosed with VEXAS in a tertiary rheumatology referral centre, (2) identify common rheumatological biomarkers that may distinguish VEXAS from other rheumatic diseases and (3) suggest which clinical findings should motivate genetic testing for VEXAS. METHODS Patients were identified and diagnosed at the department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital (AUH), Denmark. Blood samples were examined for VEXAS-associated UBA1 variants by Sanger sequencing at the department of Clinical Immunology, AUH. Clinical and biochemical data were retrieved from the hospital electronic patient chart. RESULTS Eleven male patients with clinical suspicion of VEXAS underwent sequencing. Five of these carried known VEXAS-associated variants. Median age at diagnosis was 84 (75-87) years. All patients had significantly elevated inflammatory markers with a median C-reactive protein (CRP) of 297 (196-386) mg/L and macrocytic anaemia. None of the patients presented common biomarkers for autoimmunity. CONCLUSION Danish patients with VEXAS syndrome are men with persistent inflammation, constitutional symptoms and heterogeneous clinical presentations. Shared features for all patients in this study were highly elevated inflammatory markers, macrocytic anaemia and negative autoimmune biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fruzsina Szabados
- Rheumatology, Sygehus Vendsyssel i Hjørring, Hjorring, Nordjylland, Denmark
| | - Jens Magnus Bernth Jensen
- Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Troldborg
- Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Wilke MVMB, Morava-Kozicz E, Koster MJ, Schmitz CT, Foster SK, Patnaik M, Warrington KJ, Klee EW, Pinto E Vairo F. Exome sequencing can misread high variant allele fraction of somatic variants in UBA1 as hemizygous in VEXAS syndrome: a case report. BMC Rheumatol 2022; 6:54. [PMID: 36038944 PMCID: PMC9426024 DOI: 10.1186/s41927-022-00281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome) is a recently described syndrome caused by a somatic missense variant at the methionine-41 (p.(Met41)) position in the ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) in Xp11.3. Germline pathogenic variants in UBA1 are associated with a distinct phenotype: a syndrome with severe neurologic features associated with loss of anterior horn cells and infantile death denominated X-Linked Spinal Muscular Atrophy 2 (SMAX2) (OMIM 301,830).
Case presentation We report a male individual with the phenotype of VEXAS syndrome that was initially identified through exome sequencing (ES) as having a hemizygous germline variant in UBA1 due to high variant allele frequency (VAF). Research Sanger sequencing was able to confirm the absence of the p.(Met41Val) variant in a skin biopsy and in gastric mucosa tissue sample confirming the variant happened as a postzygotic event.
Conclusions The present case exemplifies the diagnostic challenge that was imposed by the high VAF detected by ES that failed to correctly demonstrate that the variant was in a mosaic state. Sequencing of different tissues should be considered when there is conflict between the UBA1 variant status and the clinical findings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41927-022-00281-z.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Morava-Kozicz
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Matthew J Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Christopher T Schmitz
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Shannon Kaye Foster
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Mrinal Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Eric W Klee
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Filippo Pinto E Vairo
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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Paradigm shift in monogenic autoinflammatory diseases and systemic vasculitis: The VEXAS syndrome. Med Clin (Barc) 2022; 159:489-496. [PMID: 36049972 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2022.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome was described by the end of 2020 as an autoinflammatory disease caused by post-zygotic variants in the UBA1 gene. VEXAS syndrome occurs in adult males with recurrent fever, arthralgia/arthritis, ear/nose chondritis, neutrophilic dermatosis, lung inflammation, venous thrombosis, and different types of vasculitis. Common laboratory changes include raised acute phase reactants and macrocytic anemia. The coexistence of myelodysplasia is frequent, and bone marrow vacuolization of myeloid and erythroid precursors is characteristic. Glucocorticoids are effective at medium-high doses, but the remaining immunosuppressive drugs, either conventional or biological, have showed limited or absent efficacy. Azacitidine has been associated with a good response, especially in patients with accompanying myelodysplastic syndrome. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation appears to be the only curative therapy by now. VEXAS syndrome has become a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of autoinflammatory diseases and systemic vasculitis.
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30
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van Leeuwen-Kerkhoff N, de Witte MA, Heijstek MW, Leavis HL. Case report: Up-front allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a patient with the VEXAS syndrome. Br J Haematol 2022; 199:e12-e15. [PMID: 36039520 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie van Leeuwen-Kerkhoff
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moniek A de Witte
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes W Heijstek
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Helen L Leavis
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Guerrero-Bermúdez CA, Cardona-Cardona AF, Ariza-Parra EJ, Arostegui JI, Mensa-Vilaro A, Yague J, Vásquez G, Muñoz-Vahos CH. Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome (VEXAS syndrome) with prominent supraglottic larynx involvement: a case-based review. Clin Rheumatol 2022; 41:3565-3572. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06338-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Watanabe R, Kiji M, Hashimoto M. Vasculitis associated with VEXAS syndrome: A literature review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:983939. [PMID: 36045928 PMCID: PMC9420898 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.983939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculitis is an inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels that causes damage to a wide variety of organs through tissue ischemia. Vasculitis is classified according to the size (large, medium, or small) of the blood vessels. In 2020, VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome, a novel autoinflammatory syndrome, was described. Somatic mutations in methionine-41 of UBA1, the major E1 enzyme that initiates ubiquitylation, are attributed to this disorder. This new disease entity connects seemingly unrelated conditions: inflammatory syndromes (relapsing chondritis, Sweet's syndrome, or neutrophilic dermatosis) and hematologic disorders (myelodysplastic syndrome or multiple myeloma). Notably, such patients sometimes develop vasculitis, such as giant cell arteritis and polyarteritis nodosa, and fulfill the corresponding classification criteria for vasculitis. Thus, vasculitis can be an initial manifestation of VEXAS syndrome. In this research topic exploring the link between autoinflammatory diseases and vasculitis, we first provide an overview of the disease mechanisms and clinical phenotypes of VEXAS syndrome. Then, a literature review using the PubMed database was performed to delineate the clinical characteristics of vasculitis associated with VEXAS syndrome. Finally, the therapeutic options and unmet needs of VEXAS syndrome are discussed.
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Gurnari C, McLornan DP. Update on VEXAS and role of allogeneic bone marrow transplant: Considerations on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:1642-1648. [PMID: 35941354 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01774-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
VEXAS (acronym for Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) is a fascinating new entity encompassing a variety of clinical manifestations, spanning from auto-inflammatory symptoms to hematologic disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and plasma cell dyscrasias. Genetically defined by somatic mutations of the X-linked gene UBA1 in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, VEXAS typically manifests in males during the fifth/sixth decade of life. Since its discovery, several groups have documented pleomorphic clinical phenotypes, in addition to a plethora of therapeutic options (e.g., JAK inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, and allogeneic stem cell transplant, allo-HCT) in retrospective case series. However, no treatment guidelines have been validated to date, VEXAS patients are typically steroid-dependent and may manifest life-threatening inflammatory symptoms refractory to multiple lines of therapy. To date, the only curative option appears to be allo-HCT in suitable individuals. Nonetheless, this procedure carries an inherent risk of morbidity and mortality that must be judiciously evaluated against a phenotypically diverse disorder where the optimal therapeutic algorithm remains ill-defined. Herein, we provide an overview of the current VEXAS data/ therapeutic evidence and discuss the curative potential of allo-HCT whilst highlighting the efforts required for generation of robust data able to inform therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Gurnari
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research Department, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA.,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, PhD in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Donal P McLornan
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Haematology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
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Alcedo PE, Gutierrez-Rodrigues F, Patel BA. Somatic mutations in VEXAS Syndrome and Erdheim-Chester Disease: Inflammatory Myeloid Diseases. Semin Hematol 2022; 59:156-166. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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