Therapeutic Efficacy of Low dose IL-2 in an 8-Year-Old Autistic Child with Immune Imbalance: A Case Report

Meng LiXu LiZuqing NieHuiling ChenPenghao YaoXinyi XuChen ShenXiuying KuiXia Cao^*

• The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China

Abstract Autism, a heterogeneous disorder with a complex pathogenesis, lacks effective treatments, and most pharmacological interventions offer limited relief from core symptoms. Numerous studies have established a correlation between immune inflammation and autism pathogenesis. Here, we present a case demonstrating the safety and therapeutic efficacy of LdIL-2 (Low dose IL-2) in treating a child with immune imbalance-related autism. A child diagnosed with autism at age two exhibited severe language and interpersonal difficulties, cognitive deficits, poor coordination, and significant immune imbalances, as indicated by elevated peripheral blood Th1/Treg ratio. Following three courses of LdIL-2 subcutaneous injections, the child showed improvement in speech and language. After six courses, further enhancements were observed in speech, social initiative, adaptability, cognition, and physical mobility. Behavioral improvements persisted three months post-treatment. Concurrently, the child's immune balance markedly improved, evidenced by reduced Th1/Treg ratio and enhanced Treg cell function. This case report underscores the potential of LdIL-2, a widely-used drug in autoimmune disorders, to ameliorate core symptoms, including social and language deficits, in select cases of immune-imbalanced autism. While limited to a single individual and pre-post treatment comparison, these findings warrant further clinical investigation and exploration into autism's etiology and treatment modalities.