Successful Use of Anakinra in a Patient with IL-10R Beta Deficiency: A Case Report

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a crucial anti-inflammatory cytokine essential for maintaining immune homeostasis, particularly in the gastrointestinal system. Defects in the IL-10 signaling pathway, including mutations in interlaukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) beta, have been implicated in early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often resistant to conventional treatments. We report a 1.5-month-old male patient with IL-10R beta deficiency presenting with fever, vomiting, malnutrition, and sepsis. Despite normal initial evaluations, persistent fever and elevated inflammatory markers prompted the initiation of anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Genetic testing confirmed a homozygous deletion in the IL10RB gene. Anakinra led to significant clinical improvement, including weight gain and symptom resolution. The patient was enrolled in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) program and successfully received HSCT from an HLA-matched related donor. IL-10R beta deficiency presents with severe and early-onset symptoms, often unresponsive to standard IBD therapies. Anakinra has shown promise in bridging to HSCT by reducing inflammation and improving clinical outcomes in patients with IL-10 pathway defects. This case highlights the effectiveness of anakinra as a treatment strategy in severe, refractory IBD associated with IL-10R beta deficiency and underscores the importance of genetic testing for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Anakinra may provide significant clinical benefits in patients with IL-10R beta deficiency, serving as a bridge to definitive treatment with HSCT. Early genetic diagnosis and targeted therapy are crucial for managing this challenging condition.