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TAFRO syndrome with refractory thrombocytopenia responding to tocilizumab and romiplostim: a case report.

ABSTRACT: Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is a unique clinicopathologic subtype of multicentric Castleman's disease that has recently been identified in Japan. However, little is known about its renal histological changes and the optimal treatment for TAFRO syndrome. An 80-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of severe anasarca and weight gain (10 kg in a month). She had polyneuropathy, monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder with positive kappa M-protein, a sclerotic bone lesion, elevation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), skin changes, and extravascular volume overload, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, and monoclonal protein, skin changes) syndrome. However, kappa-type M-protein and thrombocytopenia with positivity of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G antibody were unusual, and fitted the diagnostic criteria for TAFRO syndrome. Renal biopsy showed diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with endothelial swelling and the infiltration of monocytes and neutrophils without specific immunoglobulin deposits. Her systemic symptoms were refractory to initial treatment with high-dose melphalan and glucocorticoids. Alternative therapy with an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody (tocilizumab) effectively controlled the symptoms, while a thrombopoietin receptor agonist (romiplostim) was effective for her thrombocytopenia. Results suggest that IL-6-VEGF axis and an autoimmune mechanism may be responsible for TAFRO syndrome with clinical features of POEMS and refractory thrombocytopenia, which can be successfully treated with combination of tocilizumab and romiplostim.

SUBMITTER: Noda-Narita S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5886949 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:TAFRO syndrome is a systemic inflammatory disorder that manifests as thrombocytopenia (T), anasarca (A), fever (F), reticulin fibrosis (R), and organomegaly (O). Renal dysfunction is frequently complicated with TAFRO syndrome, however, it is challenging to perform kidney biopsy in patients with TAFRO syndrome in the presence of thrombocytopenia. Renal histology in TAFRO syndrome mainly shows membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like lesions or thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)-like glomerulopathy. We review our case and previous reports of TAFRO syndrome with kidney biopsy findings and discuss the renal pathophysiology of TAFRO syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION:We describe a previously healthy 48- year-old woman with TAFRO syndrome. Kidney biopsy performed before the treatment showed diffuse global endocapillary proliferative changes with endothelial cell swelling, double contours of partial capillary walls, and mesangiolysis, consistent with TMA-like glomerulopathy. Glucocorticoid therapy including steroid pulse was ineffective and she developed anasarca, renal dysfunction and oliguria. Hemodialysis was required. However, the anti-Interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) therapy was very effective. An increase in urinary volume was achieved about 2 weeks after the tocilizumab therapy and hemodialysis was discontinued. To investigate the renal pathophysiology of TAFRO syndrome, we performed immunohistological staining of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, CD34, and D2-40, in our case and a normal control kidney. Glomerular VEGF-A was especially positive in podocytes both, in the control and in the case, with no significant difference and there was a significant increase of VEGF-A staining area in the cortical peritubular capillaries in the case. Both glomerular and renal cortical CD34 expression were significantly decreased in our case. D2-40 expression in cortex was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS:We reviewed our case and other 10 previous reports about renal biopsy findings in TAFRO syndrome and found that glomerular microangiopathy was a common finding. IL-6-VEGF-axis-induced glomerular microangiopathy may play a crucial role in developing acute kidney injury in TAFRO syndrome and the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody therapy may be useful for TAFRO syndrome refractory to glucocorticoids. About the pathophysiology of VEGF in TAFRO syndrome, VEGF balance in the glomerulus and perhaps in the peritubular capillary system as well may be critical. Further investigation is needed.

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TAFRO syndrome with refractory thrombocytopenia responding to tocilizumab and romiplostim: a case report.

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