Chronic granulomatous disease 2018: advances in pathophysiology and clinical management

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder of phagocytic cells resulting in failure to kill a characteristic spectrum of bacteria and fungi and to resolve inflammation. The last few years have witnessed major advances in pathogenesis and clinical management of the disease: 1. Better understanding of 3 physiologic anti-inflammatory functions of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species: Promotion of the clearance of dying host cells, suppression of inflammasomes, and regulation of type I interferon signalling. This insight is opening new avenues for targeted drug interventions. 2. Advances in reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) make it a promising and safe procedure even for fragile patients with ongoing severe infection or hyperinflammation. 3. Encouraging early data of a multicenter trial of gene-replacement therapy using a self-inactivated lentiviral vector. Combining targeted anti-infectious/anti-inflammatory measures and considering extended indications for curative HSCT are key to improving patient outcome further. Gene therapy will likely become a viable option for disease correction, but long-term assessment is not yet possible. Statement of novelty: We discuss important advances in pathogenesis and treatment of CGD that will change our approach to clinical management.