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Immunodeficiency Diseases Treatment

St. Jude Children’s  Research Hospital provides outstanding care and treatment for children  with primary immunodeficiency diseases. These diseases are inherited. That means they are passed down through families.

Children with immunodeficiency diseases have immune systems that do not work well. Patients are more likely to get infections. The infections may be serious or become life-threatening.

Diseases treated at St. Jude

St. Jude treats severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a primary immunodeficiency disease.

We also treat patients with acquired immunodeficiency disorders (AIDS) caused by HIV. “Acquired” means you get the disease later in life. For more information, visit Infectious Diseases Treatment.
 

Clinical trials for primary immunodeficiency diseases

Recruiting
IMPAACT2036: Study of long-acting injectable treatment for HIV

Study goal:

To test the first use of pills dissolved in liquid, as well as CAB and RPV shots in children ages 2–11 years and study the safety of treatment, how well it works, and if children will accept this treatment instead of pills

Age:

2–11 years old

Why St. Jude for primary immunodeficiency diseases?

St. Jude provides the highest quality of care for patients with immunodeficiency diseases.

  • St. Jude scientists are working on gene therapies for certain immunodeficiency diseases. Gene therapy gives patients a healthy version of a defective gene. The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility on our campus makes materials for gene therapy studies. This is done under strict federal guidelines.
  • St. Jude is a member of the Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium. This group works to improve outcomes for patients with these diseases.
  • St. Jude took part in a research study with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Early results showed that older children and young adults with X-linked SCID got better after treatment with a type of gene therapy. St. Jude developed the process. We made the materials at St. Jude. Our researchers are studying whether this therapy can help younger children.
  • Many children get a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant to treat their disease. Our stem cell transplant program is one of the world’s largest programs for children, teens, and young adults.
     

Primary immunodeficiency diseases team 

How to seek treatment

You or your child’s doctor can contact our Referral Office at (866-278-5833). We accept second opinion requests for diseases we treat.

Patients who are eligible for certain studies are referred to St. Jude for treatment. Email immunodeficiencies@stjude.org for more information.

For more details, read our patient referral guidelines.
 

What to expect during your visit

When your child arrives at St. Jude, a doctor will meet with you to answer your questions and discuss a treatment plan. Providers will do tests to learn about your child’s disease. This information helps them treat your child.

Your doctor may recommend a bone marrow transplant or another treatment such as gene therapy.

Learn more