# Pulmonary light chain deposition disease secondary to Sjögren disease: a case report

**Authors:** Xiaotong Xu, Lingjian Wang, Chunsheng Zhou, Lu Zhang, Ting Zhang, Min Peng, Rui’e Feng, Juhong Shi

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1747455 · Frontiers in Immunology · 2026-02-16

## TL;DR

A 42-year-old woman with Sjögren disease developed a rare lung condition called pulmonary light chain deposition disease, which improved with a new treatment combining bortezomib and dexamethasone.

## Contribution

This case report demonstrates the successful use of bortezomib and dexamethasone in treating PLCDD secondary to autoimmune disease.

## Key findings

- The patient showed significant clinical and radiological improvement after treatment with bortezomib and dexamethasone.
- The case highlights the potential effectiveness of targeted therapies for PLCDD linked to autoimmune conditions like Sjögren disease.

## Abstract

Pulmonary light chain deposition disease (PLCDD) is a rare disorder characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin light chains in the lungs, often associated with lymphoplasmacytic proliferative and autoimmune disease such as primary Sjögren disease (pSjD). Due to its rarity, there is currently no established definitive management of PLCDD. In this case report, we present the clinical presentation of a 42-year-old female with a history of pSjD who experienced recurrent hemoptysis over a period of 3 years. Radiological and pathological assessments confirmed pulmonary involvement of light chain deposition disease. Despite initial failure of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents in targeting pSjD, subsequent combination therapy with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BD) resulting in significant clinical and radiological improvement. The successful use of this combination treatment in PLCDD represents a significant breakthrough, highlighting the potential effectiveness of targeted therapies for PLCDD secondary to autoimmune disease.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** bortezomib (PubChem CID 387447), dexamethasone (PubChem CID 5743)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TRIM21 (tripartite motif containing 21) [NCBI Gene 6737] {aka RNF81, RO52, Ro/SSA, SSA, SSA1, TRIM21/Ro52}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}, SDC1 (syndecan 1) [NCBI Gene 6382] {aka CD138, SDC, SYND1, syndecan}, KRT20 (keratin 20) [NCBI Gene 54474] {aka CD20, CK-20, CK20, K20, KRT21}
- **Diseases:** lymphoproliferative disorders (MESH:D008232), xerostomia (MESH:D014987), LCDD (MESH:D000075363), AL (MESH:D000686), granulomas (MESH:D006099), BD (MESH:C563177), LIP (MESH:D017563), FB (MESH:D001988), fungal (MESH:D009181), Aspergillosis (MESH:D001228), cystic lung destruction (MESH:C563237), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (MESH:D011697), cyst (MESH:D003560), Anemia (MESH:D000740), LAM (MESH:D018192), luminal occlusion (MESH:D001157), pneumothorax (MESH:D011030), salivary gland swelling (MESH:D012466), sarcoidosis (MESH:D012507), weight loss (MESH:D015431), Bone lesions (MESH:D001847), cough (MESH:D003371), Hypercalcemia (MESH:D006934), autoimmune disease (MESH:D001327), obstructive ventilatory disorder (MESH:D012131), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), nodular opacities (MESH:D003318), hemoptysis (MESH:D006469), chest pain (MESH:D002637), fatigue (MESH:D005221), fever (MESH:D005334), SLE (MESH:D008180), osteolytic lesions (MESH:D030981), Pulmonary involvement (MESH:C566343), granulomatous inflammation (MESH:D007249), immunoglobulin deposition disorder (MESH:D000079822), Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (MESH:D006646), chylothorax (MESH:D002916), Sjogren disease (MESH:D012859), calcification (MESH:D002114), MM (MESH:D009101), xerophthalmia (MESH:D014985), dyspnea (MESH:D004417), Renal insufficiency (MESH:D051437), Diminished breath (MESH:D015354), pulmonary nodules (MESH:D055613)
- **Chemicals:** steroid (MESH:D013256), prednisone (MESH:D011241), eosin (MESH:D004801), calcium (MESH:D002118), H&amp;E (MESH:D006371), BD (-), hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), HCQ (MESH:D006886), dexamethasone (MESH:D003907), Congo red (MESH:D003224), Bortezomib (MESH:D000069286), CTX (MESH:D003520), MMF (MESH:D009173), carbon monoxide (MESH:D002248)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12950662/full.md

## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12950662/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12950662