Presse Med
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Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease associated with the homozygous Z variant of the SERPINA1 gene. Clinical expression of AATD, reported 60 years ago associate a severe deficiency, pulmonary emphysema and/or liver fibrosis. Pulmonary emphysema is due to the severe alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency of the ZZ homozygous status and is favored by smoking. ⋯ In contrast Z heterozygosis (MZ or SZ) brings a risk of lung or liver disease only in association with further risk factors. Early detection, in all patients with COPD and chronic liver disease, is critical for the correct information of Z variant carriers. News ways of correcting the liver production of alpha1-antitrypsin will modify the care of AATD patients.
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease characterised by remodelling of the pulmonary arteries and progressive narrowing of the pulmonary vasculature. This leads to a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure and, if left untreated, to right ventricular failure and death. A correct diagnosis requires a complete work-up including right heart catheterisation performed in a specialised centre. ⋯ Further escalation of treatment is required if low-risk status is not achieved at subsequent follow-up assessments. In the most severe patients, who are already on maximal medical therapy, lung transplantation may be indicated. Recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease have led to the development of promising emerging therapies targeting dysfunctional pathways beyond endothelial dysfunction, including the TGF-β and PDGF pathways.
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Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is an ultra-rare, slowly progressive neoplastic cystic disease, belonging to the group of PEComas. It can occur sporadically or associated to tuberous sclerosis complex disease and affects mainly women in child-birth age. ⋯ In the last decade, important advances in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the LAM pathogenesis have been reached. It has allowed to obtain improvements in the research of novel biomarkers, treatment and a better management of the disease.
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by variants in the gene encoding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. CFTR dysfunction results in abnormal chloride and bicarbonate transport in epithelial cells, leading to a multiorgan disease dominated by respiratory and digestive manifestations. The respiratory disease, which is characterized by airway mucus plugging, chronic bacterial infection and progressive development of bronchiectasis, may lead to chronic respiratory failure, which is the main cause of premature death in people with CF. ⋯ Although an increasing proportion of people with CF are being treated with CFTR modulators, challenges remain regarding access to CFTR modulators due to their high cost, and their lack of marketing approval and/or effectiveness in people with rare CFTR variants. The anticipated increase in the number of adults with CF and their aging also challenge the current organization of CF care. The purpose of this review article is to describe current status and future perspective of CF disease and care.
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Bronchiectasis is a final common pathway of a wide variety of underlying conditions including infectious, autoimmune, allergic, genetic and inflammatory conditions. Patients experience a chronic disease with variable clinical symptoms and course, but most experience cough, sputum production and recurrent exacerbations. Symptoms of bronchiectasis lead to poor quality of life and exacerbations are the major driver of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Airway clearance is the mainstay of therapy for patients with symptoms of cough and sputum production. Frequently exacerbating patients may benefit from long term antibiotic or mucoactive therapies. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease and increasingly precision medicine approaches are advocated to target treatments most appropriately and to limit the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.