IgG4-related disease: a novel lymphoproliferative disorder discovered and established in Japan in the 21st century.

IgG4-related disease is a novel lymphoproliferative disorder that shows hyper-IgG4-γ-globulinemia and IgG4-producing plasma cell expansion in affected organs with fibrotic or sclerotic changes. Patients show systemic inflammatory conditions and various symptoms depending on the affected organ. Since the first report of patients with elevated serum IgG4 in sclerosing pancreatitis in 2001, various systemic disorders described by many names have been reported. Despite similarities in the organs involved in IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease and Sjögren's syndrome, there are marked clinical and pathological differences between these conditions. Most patients diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis in Japan have IgG4-related pancreatitis [Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP)], a disease distinct from some of the western type [Type 2 AIP, idiopathic duct-centric chronic pancreatitis (IDCP), autoimmune pancreatitis with granulocytic epithelial lesions (GEL)]. Diagnosis of IgG4-related disease is characterized by both elevated serum IgG4 (>135 mg/dL) and histopathological features including lymphocyte and IgG4(+) plasma cell infiltration (IgG4(+) plasma cells/IgG(+) plasma cells>40%). Differential diagnosis from other distinct disorders, such as sarcoidosis, Castleman's disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, lymphoma, cancer, and other existing conditions associated with high serum IgG4 level or abundant IgG4-bearing plasma cells in tissues is necessary. We have begun a clinical prospective study to establish a treatment strategy (Phase II prospective treatment study for IgG4-multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome: UMIN R000002311).