Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in the Treatment of Pulmonary Light Chain Deposition Disease

Light chain deposition disease is a rare condition that results in the deposition of light chains in organs and their subsequent dysfunction. It is often the consequence of unchecked light chain production by a plasma cell clone. Rarely does it manifest with solely pulmonary involvement, especially in the young otherwise healthy patient. This article highlights the presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary light chain deposition disease in an active duty solider, the discovery of a plasma cell clone responsible for his symptoms, and the therapy targeted at the plasma cell clone-inducing pulmonary disease. This therapy included a novel successful treatment with an autologous stem cell transplantation. To date, it is among the first such documented successful bone marrow transplantations in treatment of isolated pulmonary light chain deposition disease.