Novel germline STAT3 gain-of-function mutation causes autoimmune diseases and severe growth failure

In recent years, germline gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) have been identified as a cause of early-onset multiorgan autoimmune diseases with the widespread use of next-generation sequencing, and targeted therapies such as tocilizumab have been reported to be effective.

We sought to assess whether a novel STAT3 mutation detected by whole-exome sequencing is pathogenic and examine the efficacy of targeted therapy.

A pediatric patient with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and severe growth failure was examined.

This 7-year-old boy had idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis at the age of 6 months. Despite high-dose steroid therapy, pulmonary fibrosis progressed. Furthermore, he presented with severe growth failure, autoimmune thyroiditis, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and inflammation bowel disease unclassified. Given the presence of multiple autoimmune diseases, whole-exome sequencing was performed, which detected germline de novo heterozygous STAT3 mutation (NM_139276.2; c.2144C>A, p.(P715Q)). Dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed this novel STAT3 mutation as GOF. After starting tocilizumab therapy at the age of 6, hospital stays decreased, and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis was decelerated without increasing the steroid dose. New autoimmune diseases did not develop, and no apparent adverse effects on growth have been observed.

Tocilizumab may be effective for patients with STAT3 GOF mutation, including those requiring long-term management of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. Diagnosis of patients with early-onset multiorgan autoimmune diseases in which STAT3 GOF is suspected should be confirmed by genetic testing and functional analysis to consider the introduction of targeted therapies.