Immunodysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy And Enteropathy X-Linked

Immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy x-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease. it affects only males and starts in the first six months of life. The symptoms of IPEX syndrome include severe diarrhea, diabetes, skin conditions (such as eczema, erythroderma, or psoriasis), and thyroid disease (thyroiditis). IPEX syndrome is caused by changes (mutations) of the FOXP3 gene, which is located on the X chromosome. There are several other diseases that are very similar to the IPEX syndrome, caused by mutations in other genes and that affect both males and females. Treatment of IPEX syndrome consists of medications that limit immune system function; a bone marrow transplantation is the only treatment that can cure the disease, but it may have several complications. Research is ongoing for new and safer treatments.