Therapeutic apheresis exchange in two patients with prolidase deficiency

BACKGROUND:

Prolidase deficiency is a rare genetic disorder for which a cure has not yet been found.
OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effectiveness of apheresis exchange as a new therapeutic approach.
METHODS:

Apheresis exchanges were repeated monthly for four consecutive months, in parallel, on two patients, replacing prolidase-deficient red blood cells with normal filtered cells. Prolidase activity and urinary dipeptides were determined at regular intervals.
RESULTS:

The constant presence of active prolidase inside cells allowed a continuous, although partial, degradation of imidodipeptides, with a concomitant improvement of skin ulceration.
CONCLUSIONS:

Apheresis exchange could be a reasonable way of obtaining a clinical improvement in these patients.