1
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Gaggiano C, Gupta V, Agrawal R, De Smet MD, Frediani B, Tosi GM, Paroli MP, Sridharan S, Pavesio CE, Pleyer U, Denisova EV, Babu K, de-la-Torre A, Yang P, Davis JL, Cunningham ET, Carreño E, Goldstein D, Fonollosa A, Cantarini L, Sobrin L, Fabiani C. Knowledge and Current Practices in Monogenic Uveitis: An International Survey by IUSG and AIDA Network. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:127-147. [PMID: 37924480 PMCID: PMC10776548 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aims to explore awareness, knowledge, and diagnostic/therapeutic practices in monogenic uveitis (mU) among uveitis experts. METHODS This is an explorative, cross-sectional survey study. An anonymous, semi-structured, electronic survey was delivered to uveitis experts from the Autoinflammatory Diseases Alliance (AIDA) Network and International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG). We included respondents answering ≥ 50% of the survey. RESULTS Seventy-seven participants rated their knowledge of mU as proficient (3.9%), adequate (15.6%), sufficient (16.9%), or poor (63.6%). When asked about the first mU gene they thought of, 60.4% mentioned NOD2, 3.9% mentioned NLRP3 or MEFV, and 49.4% provided incorrect or no answers. Success rates in clinical scenarios varied from 15.6% to 55.8% and were higher for ophthalmologists working in multidisciplinary teams (p < 0.01). Genetic testing was ordered for suspected mU by 41.6% of physicians. The availability of molecular techniques did not significantly differ based on geography (p > 0.05). The public healthcare system ensured a higher percentage of tests prescribed were obtained by patients compared to private insurances (p < 0.00). In terms of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors were the most familiar to uveitis experts. The difficulties with off-label therapy procedures were the primary barrier to DMARDs prescription for patients with mU and correlated inversely with the obtained/prescribed drug ratio for interleukin-1 (p < 0.01) and interleukin-6 (p < 0.01) inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS This survey identifies proficiency areas, gaps, and opportunities for targeted improvements in patients care. The comprehensive outputs may inform evidence-based guidelines, empowering clinicians with standardized approaches, and drive an AIDA Network-IUSG unified effort to advance scientific knowledge and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Gaggiano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese (European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA) Center), Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Vishali Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, QQ7H+JW3, Vidya Path, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Rupesh Agrawal
- 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Level 1, TTSH Medical Centre, National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, 11 Mandalay Rd, #17-01, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Level 6 Discovery Tower, The Academia, 20 College Rd, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, 8 College Rd, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Marc D De Smet
- MicroInvasive Ocular Surgery Clinic, Av. du Léman 32, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese (European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA) Center), Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Tosi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, (European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory, and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA) Center), Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Paroli
- Department of Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, Uveitis Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Via Giovanni Maria Lancisi, 2, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sudharshan Sridharan
- Department of Uvea, Medical and Vision Research Foundations, Sankara Nethralaya, No. 41, College Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 006, India
| | - Carlos E Pavesio
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Uwe Pleyer
- Klinik Für Augenheilkunde, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Ekaterina V Denisova
- Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases, Moscow, 105062, Russia
| | - Kalpana Babu
- Department of Uvea and Ocular Inflammation, Prabha Eye Clinic and Research Centre, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology, 504, 40Th Cross Rd, 8Th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560070, India
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), Neurovitae Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Medicine (IMT), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Cra 27 #63 C 39, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Peizeng Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch (Municipality Division) of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Road 1, Yuzhong District, 400016, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Janet L Davis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17Th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Emmett T Cunningham
- The Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, 711 Van Ness Ave #250, San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA
- The Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Li Ka Shing Building, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Francis I. Proctor Foundation, UCSF School of Medicine, 490 Illinois St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Ester Carreño
- Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Av. de los Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Debra Goldstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 440, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Alex Fonollosa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, Cruces Plaza, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
- Department of Retina, Instituto Oftalmológico Bilbao, Berástegui 4, 1º Izq, 48001, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese (European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA) Center), Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Lucia Sobrin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, (European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory, and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA) Center), Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Baur V, Stoevesandt J, Hueber A, Hüffmeier U, Kneitz H, Morbach H, Schultz E, Goebeler M. VEXAS-Syndrome, a newly described autoinflammatory systemic disease with dermatologic manifestations. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1456-1463. [PMID: 37953404 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15227] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome is a recently identified autoinflammatory systemic disease caused by an acquired somatic mutation of the X-linked UBA1 gene, the key enzyme of the first step of ubiquitylation. The acronym VEXAS stands for the characteristics Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic. The disease occurs in advanced adulthood preferentially in men and is characterized by hematological, rheumatological and dermatological symptoms. The latter include neutrophil-rich lesions reminiscent of Sweet's syndrome, erythema nodosum- and panniculitis-like skin manifestations and recurrent polychondritis of the nose and auricles. The presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles in myeloid and erythroid precursors in the bone marrow is characteristic. In up to half of the cases, VEXAS syndrome is associated with myelodysplastic syndrome. Dermatologists should be familiar with the clinical picture, as skin symptoms are often the first indicator of the disease. Molecular diagnostics are essential for confirming the diagnosis and risk stratification of affected patients. In this minireview we provide an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of VEXAS syndrome and illustrate its clinical picture with two own cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Baur
- Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Stoevesandt
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Axel Hueber
- Department of Rheumatology, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Hüffmeier
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hermann Kneitz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Henner Morbach
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erwin Schultz
- Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Goebeler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Baur V, Stoevesandt J, Hueber A, Hüffmeier U, Kneitz H, Morbach H, Schultz E, Goebeler M. VEXAS-Syndrom, eine neu beschriebene autoinflammatorische Systemerkrankung mit dermatologischen Manifestationen. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1456-1464. [PMID: 38082529 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15227_g] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDas VEXAS‐Syndrom ist eine kürzlich erstbeschriebene autoinflammatorische Systemerkrankung, die auf einer erworbenen, somatischen Mutation des X‐chromosomal lokalisierten UBA1‐Gens, dem Schlüsselenzym des ersten Schritts der Ubiquitinierung, beruht. Das Akronym VEXAS steht für die Charakteristika Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory und somatic. Die Erkrankung tritt im fortgeschrittenen Erwachsenenalter vorzugsweise bei Männern auf und ist insbesondere durch hämatologische, rheumatologische und dermatologische Symptome gekennzeichnet. Letztere umfassen unter anderem neutrophilenreiche, an das Sweet‐Syndrom erinnernde Läsionen, Erythema nodosum‐ und Pannikulitis‐artige Hauterscheinungen sowie rezidivierende Polychondritiden an Nase und Ohrmuscheln. Das Vorliegen zytoplasmatischer Vakuolen in myeloiden und erythroiden Vorläuferzellen des Knochenmarks ist charakteristisch. In bis zur Hälfte der Fälle ist das VEXAS‐Syndrom mit einem myelodysplastischen Syndrom vergesellschaftet. Dermatologen sollten das Krankheitsbild kennen, da Hauterscheinungen oft der erste Indikator für die Erkrankung sind. Eine molekulare Diagnostik ist essenziell für die Diagnosesicherung und die Risikostratifizierung betroffener Patienten. In dieser Arbeit geben wir einen Überblick über die Pathophysiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie des VEXAS‐Syndroms und illustrieren das klinische Spektrum anhand zweier eigener Fälle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Baur
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Johanna Stoevesandt
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Axel Hueber
- Abteilung für Rheumatologie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Ulrike Hüffmeier
- Humangenetisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Hermann Kneitz
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Henner Morbach
- Kinderklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Erwin Schultz
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Goebeler
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
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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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Hernández-Rodríguez J, Nieścieruk J, Maślińska M. VEXAS syndrome: an adult-onset monogenic autoinflammatory disease with many unanswered questions. Reumatologia 2023; 61:83-85. [PMID: 37223367 PMCID: PMC10201377 DOI: 10.5114/reum/165994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- José Hernández-Rodríguez
- Clinical Unit of Autoinflammatory Diseases and Vasculitis Research Unit, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (RITA)
- Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) on Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ReCONNET)
| | - Jakub Nieścieruk
- Early Arthritis Clinic, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Maślińska
- Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) on Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ReCONNET)
- Early Arthritis Clinic, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
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Kucharz EJ. VEXAS syndrome: a newly discovered systemic rheumatic disorder. Reumatologia 2023; 61:123-129. [PMID: 37223371 PMCID: PMC10201379 DOI: 10.5114/reum/163090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease associated with hematologic symptoms. The disease affects primarily males, and leads to death of a significant proportion of the patients. VEXAS syndrome is caused by a somatic mutation of the UBA1 gene in hematopoietic progenitor cells. The clinical picture of the syndrome consists of a number of organ manifestations including those akin to rheumatic diseases, arthritis, myalgia, vasculitis and chondritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenisz J Kucharz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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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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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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Tozaki N, Tawada C, Niwa H, Mizutani Y, Shu E, Kawase A, Miwa Y, Ohnishi H, Sasai H, Miyako K, Hosokawa J, Kato A, Kobayashi K, Miyazaki T, Shirakami Y, Shimizu M, Iwata H. A case of VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) with decreased oxidative stress levels after oral prednisone and tocilizumab treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1046820. [PMID: 36544501 PMCID: PMC9760706 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1046820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome has recently been described as an autoinflammatory disease associated with severe adult-onset inflammatory manifestations. The various clinical manifestations include recurrent high-grade fever, neutrophilic dermatoses, cutaneous vasculitis, chondritis of the ear and nose, pulmonary infiltrates, cytopenia, uveitis, gastrointestinal pain or inflammation, aortitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and hematological disorders. VEXAS syndrome is caused by somatic mutations of the ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in myeloid-lineage cells. It is characterized by vacuolated myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells seen by bone marrow biopsy. We report the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man with VEXAS syndrome. At age 63, he was referred to us with a recurrent erythema on the hands associated with a general fever of 38-40°C that had persisted for 4 or 5 days and had recurred about once a month for a year. The skin rash appeared 2 or 3 days after the onset of each fever episode. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), and the mediastinal lymph nodes were swollen. Sarcoidosis was suspected but was ruled out by several tests. Laboratory examinations showed elevated inflammatory markers. Bone marrow examination showed the vacuolization of myeloid precursor cells. A skin biopsy revealed dense dermal, predominantly perivascular, infiltrates. These consisted of mature neutrophils admixed with myeloperoxidase-positive CD163-positive myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and eosinophils. Sequencing analysis identified the somatic UBA1 variant c.122T > C, which results in p.Met41Thr. Treatment with oral prednisone (15 mg/day) and monthly intravenous tocilizumab injections (400 mg) completely resolved the symptoms. Neutrophils are a major source of reactive oxygen species, and the present case demonstrated numerous neutrophilic infiltrates. We hypothesize that the patient might have had elevated derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs). d-ROM quantification is a simple method for detecting hydroperoxide levels, and clinical trials have proven it useful for evaluating oxidative stress. In this study, we measured serum d-ROM before and after oral prednisone and tocilizumab treatment. The levels decreased significantly during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagie Tozaki
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chisato Tawada
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Niwa
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoko Mizutani
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - En Shu
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Aki Kawase
- Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuki Miwa
- Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hidenori Ohnishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideo Sasai
- Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Applied Genomics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Miyako
- Department of Applied Genomics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junichi Hosokawa
- Department of Applied Genomics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayaka Kato
- Department of General Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Miyazaki
- Department of General Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yohei Shirakami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Iwata
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
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