One pill, calmer immune systems: people with rare immune conditions see real relief in a small trial

For people born with rare immune conditions that leave their defences switched on too high, everyday life can mean swollen organs, repeated infections and slowly worsening lungs. In a small trial presented in the Netherlands, 13 such patients took a twice-daily pill called leniolisib for 20 weeks. Their spleens — a clear sign of an immune system working overtime — shrank by about a quarter on average, swollen lymph nodes eased, and those with breathing problems saw their lung function improve. Side effects linked to the treatment were all mild, and every patient who finished the study chose to keep taking the pill in a longer follow-up trial.