The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

ABSTRACT Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is caused by circulating anti‐granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) auto‐antibodies that impair alveolar macrophage and neutrophil function. Macrophage dysfunction leads to accumulation of protein‐ and lipid‐rich surfactan...

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Main Authors: April Strong, Ying Sun, David Pilcher, Zane Kaplan, Rob G. Stirling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Respirology Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.70246
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author April Strong
Ying Sun
David Pilcher
Zane Kaplan
Rob G. Stirling
author_facet April Strong
Ying Sun
David Pilcher
Zane Kaplan
Rob G. Stirling
author_sort April Strong
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is caused by circulating anti‐granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) auto‐antibodies that impair alveolar macrophage and neutrophil function. Macrophage dysfunction leads to accumulation of protein‐ and lipid‐rich surfactant within alveoli, impairing gas exchange and leading to respiratory failure. Standard treatments include whole lung lavage (WLL) as first‐line therapy, nebulised replacement of GM‐CSF, and in refractory cases, lymphocyte depletion, immunosuppression, or lung transplantation. We present a case of a 51‐year‐old patient with severe, treatment‐refractory aPAP failing all standard PAP therapies. A compassionate access program enabled commencement of Daratumumab, a CD38‐directed monoclonal antibody (mAb), targeting long‐lived plasma cells and providing a novel approach to treatment‐resistant autoimmune conditions. One year post completion of Daratumumab, the patient remained in remission with clinical and radiological improvement. There was a corresponding reduction in anti‐GM‐CSF antibody levels and improvement in gas exchange on pulmonary function testing.
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spelling doaj-art-75972e30c3b34e9aa5571ebee76f22f82025-06-26T15:52:47ZengWileyRespirology Case Reports2051-33802025-06-01136n/an/a10.1002/rcr2.70246The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar ProteinosisApril Strong0Ying Sun1David Pilcher2Zane Kaplan3Rob G. Stirling4Department of Respiratory Medicine Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria AustraliaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria AustraliaIntensive Care Unit Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria AustraliaDepartment of Haematology Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria AustraliaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine Alfred Health Melbourne Victoria AustraliaABSTRACT Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is caused by circulating anti‐granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) auto‐antibodies that impair alveolar macrophage and neutrophil function. Macrophage dysfunction leads to accumulation of protein‐ and lipid‐rich surfactant within alveoli, impairing gas exchange and leading to respiratory failure. Standard treatments include whole lung lavage (WLL) as first‐line therapy, nebulised replacement of GM‐CSF, and in refractory cases, lymphocyte depletion, immunosuppression, or lung transplantation. We present a case of a 51‐year‐old patient with severe, treatment‐refractory aPAP failing all standard PAP therapies. A compassionate access program enabled commencement of Daratumumab, a CD38‐directed monoclonal antibody (mAb), targeting long‐lived plasma cells and providing a novel approach to treatment‐resistant autoimmune conditions. One year post completion of Daratumumab, the patient remained in remission with clinical and radiological improvement. There was a corresponding reduction in anti‐GM‐CSF antibody levels and improvement in gas exchange on pulmonary function testing.https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.70246anti‐GM‐CSFautoimmunedaratumumabpulmonary alveolar proteinosis
spellingShingle April Strong
Ying Sun
David Pilcher
Zane Kaplan
Rob G. Stirling
The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
Respirology Case Reports
anti‐GM‐CSF
autoimmune
daratumumab
pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
title The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
title_full The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
title_fullStr The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
title_full_unstemmed The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
title_short The Novel Use of Daratumumab in the Treatment of Refractory Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
title_sort novel use of daratumumab in the treatment of refractory autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
topic anti‐GM‐CSF
autoimmune
daratumumab
pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.70246
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