Co-funding Institute(s):
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Workshop on Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) and Related Disorders of Lymphocyte Homeostasis and Apoptosis
September 15, 2009 - September 17, 2009
Natcher Conf. Center, NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD, United States
DescriptionConference goals; (a) To provide a better awareness and harmonization of the diagnostic criteria of the disease and cofactors that contribute towards the evolution of clinical disease associated with the defined genetic defects of ALPS in the hematology, oncology, immunology, and infectious disease community. (b) To establish a working definition for these criteria. This would include validity of flow cytometry for double negative T cell enumeration, utility of in vitro apoptosis assays in streamlining the diagnosis, and the development of a highly reproducible killing assay for abnormal Fas-mediated apoptosis. (c) To provide a framework for investigating the cause and treatment of complications such as cytopenias and lymphomas resulting from relentless lymphoproliferation in patients with ALPS. (d) To stimulate the development of new clinical protocols to treat these diseases and possibly organize a consortium for case referral, diagnosis, molecular investigation, and treatment studies. (e) To develop a better understanding of the co-factors that contribute to the evolution of clinical disease associated with the defined genetic defects leading to ALPS.
Contact for additional information: Koneti Rao, M.D., 301-496-6502
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