Author/Authors :
Sherkat, Roya Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Afshar Moghaddam, Noushin Department of Pathology - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Reisi, Nahid Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology - Faculty of Medicine - Child Growth and Development Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Rezaei, Marzieh Department of Immunology - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract :
Ataxia–telangiectasia (AT) is a type of primary immunodeficiency characterized by an autosomal
recessive mode of inheritance and usually presents with progressive cerebellar ataxia in early
life. This complex disease is associated with humoral and cellular immune dysfunction and other
features including characteristic oculocutaneous telangiectasia and increased predisposition to
cancers, particularly lymphoma and leukemia. An 11‐year‐old Iranian girl presented with primary
immunodeficiency and was diagnosed as having AT according to her clinical manifestations and
molecular findings. She had a history of two types of non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma and showed
spontaneous regression of her diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma without any specific treatment.
Gene mutations and dysfunction in patients with AT result in different manifestations including
abnormal development of the thymus, immunodeficiency, increased susceptibility to malignancies,
and increased radiosensitivity. No standard treatment is available for these patients. The use of
immunotherapeutic strategies in patients with primary immune deficiency disease‐associated tumors
is potentially important.
Keywords :
Ataxia–telangiectasia , diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma , non‑Hodgkin’s lymphomas , spontaneous regression