Corticosteroid in Combination with Leflunomide and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis.
This study evaluated the efficiency of corticosteroid, leflunomide and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of pediatric idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH).



Ten patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of IPH was based on clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations and pulmonary hemosiderosis. Induction therapy consisted of methylprednisolone pulse therapy, followed by prednisone plus leflunomide. Maintenance therapy consisted of low-dose prednisone, leflunomide and administration of MSCs.



All the patients achieved complete response after treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 4-34 months). Moreover, administration of MSCs induced an increase in the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells but a decrease in the percentage of Th17 cells.



Treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs for pediatric IPH was safe and effective.
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Lu-Hong
LH
Xu
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Rong-Qiong
RQ
Ou
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Bao-Jing
BJ
Wu
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Hai-Yan
HY
Wang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Jian-Pei
JP
Fang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Wei-Ping
WP
Tan
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000097545:Hemosiderosis, Pulmonary
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone
idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis; mesenchymal stem cells; treatment