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Current concepts regarding drug dosing for peripheral stents.
Ferrone, M, Cheng, Y, Granada, JF
The Journal of cardiovascular surgery. 2019;(4):439-449
Abstract
Drug-eluting stent (DES) are the mainstay therapy for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Stent design and drug-elution strategies have evolved over the years leading to the last generation DES which shows optimal safety and efficacy outcome. Peripheral arteries have different mechanical and biological features and the lessons learned from the coronary field have been difficult to introduce into the development of peripheral vascular technologies. First, due to its complex biomechanical behavior the use of metallic stents is limited in some vascular segments (i.e., distal superficial fermoral artery [SFA]). Also, peripheral vascular atherosclerosis is different containing higher levels of plaque burden and calcium. Finally, peripheral arterial disease tends to be more aggressive including longer lesions and higher incidence of total chronic occlusion. In general terms, restenosis in the peripheral vascular territory is more aggressive and occurs at a later time (~12 months) requiring a different pharmacokinetic profile compared to coronary technologies. Several strategies have been evaluated in the peripheral arteries raging from the bare metal stent to the drug coated balloon and drug eluting stent with outcome varying depending on the different field of application (i.e. SFA and below-the-knee). Results coming from the clinical trial are encouraging but further studies and direct comparison among the different technologies are demanded to determine the best therapy for peripheral vascular disease.
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Medical and sclerosing agents in the treatment of orbital lymphatic malformations: what's new?
Lam, SC, Yuen, HKL
Current opinion in ophthalmology. 2019;(5):380-385
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Currently, there is no ideal management for orbital lymphatic malformations. Significant advances have been made since the discovery of new agents in the treatment. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the recent evidence on new sclerotherapy agents and systemic medications. RECENT FINDINGS Traditional sclerosants are OK-432, sodium tetradecyl sulphate and ethanol. More recent developments are the use of doxycycline, bleomycin, and pingyangmycin. Sirolimus as a systemic medication has revolutionized the medical management of lymphatic malformations. Other oral drugs such as propranolol and sildenafil are controversial. Future treatment involves targeting lymphangiogenic pathways including inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factors and the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit. SUMMARY The development of new agents allows multimodal management either as monotherapy or combined therapy to achieve better outcomes in this difficult to manage disease.
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Biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (BIOSTEMI): a single-blind, prospective, randomised superiority trial.
Iglesias, JF, Muller, O, Heg, D, Roffi, M, Kurz, DJ, Moarof, I, Weilenmann, D, Kaiser, C, Tapponnier, M, Stortecky, S, et al
Lancet (London, England). 2019;(10205):1243-1253
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newer-generation drug-eluting stents that combine ultrathin strut metallic platforms with biodegradable polymers might facilitate vascular healing and improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with contemporary thin strut second-generation drug-eluting stents. We did a randomised clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrathin strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents versus thin strut durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI. METHODS The BIOSTEMI trial was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, prospective, single-blind, randomised superiority trial at ten hospitals in Switzerland. Patients aged 18 years or older with acute STEMI who were referred for primary PCI were eligible to participate. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to either biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. Central randomisation was done based on a computer-generated allocation sequence with variable block sizes of 2, 4, and 6, which was stratified by centre, diabetes status, and presence or absence of multivessel coronary artery disease, and concealed using a secure web-based system. Patients and treating physicians were aware of group allocations, whereas outcome assessors were masked to the allocated stent. The experimental stent (Orsiro; Biotronik; Bülach, Switzerland) consisted of an ultrathin strut cobalt-chromium metallic stent platform releasing sirolimus from a biodegradable polymer. The control stent (Xience Xpedition/Alpine; Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) consisted of a thin strut cobalt-chromium stent platform that releases everolimus from a durable polymer. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial reinfarction (Q-wave and non-Q-wave), and clinically-indicated target lesion revascularisation, within 12 months of the index procedure. All analyses were done with the individual participant as the unit of analysis and according to the intention-to-treat principle. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02579031. FINDINGS Between April 26, 2016, and March 9, 2018, we randomly assigned 1300 patients (1623 lesions) with acute myocardial infarction to treatment with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (649 patients and 816 lesions) or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (651 patients and 806 lesions). At 12 months, follow-up data were available for 614 (95%) patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents and 626 (96%) patients treated with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. The primary composite endpoint of target lesion failure occurred in 25 (4%) of 649 patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents and 36 (6%) of 651 patients treated with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (difference -1·6 percentage points; rate ratio 0·59, 95% Bayesian credibility interval 0·37-0·94; posterior probability of superiority 0·986). Cardiac death, target vessel myocardial reinfarction, clinically-indicated target lesion revascularisation, and definite stent thrombosis were similar between the two treatment groups in the 12 months of follow-up. INTERPRETATION In patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI, biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents were superior to durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents with respect to target lesion failure at 1 year. This difference was driven by reduced ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation in patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents compared with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. FUNDING Biotronik.
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Pachyonychia congenita responding favorably to a combination of surgical and medical therapies.
Daroach, M, Dogra, S, Bhattacharjee, R, Tp, A, Smith, F, Mahajan, R
Dermatologic therapy. 2019;(5):e13045
Abstract
Pachyonychia congenital (PC) is a rare genetic disorder of cornification and is classified into five types on the basis of keratin gene involved. There are no established treatment options available for PC. Sirolimus in both topical and oral form has been studied in management of PC. We report a young female with a novel genetic mutation in KRT6A gene who presented with painful palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and onychogryphosis, which was cosmetically disfiguring. She was prescribed oral sirolimus after all investigations. There was significant improvement in pain within a week. Pain relief was sustained at 1 year follow-up with topical treatment only. Serial nail avulsion surgeries were also done with showed significant cosmetic improvement in the nails. Medical therapies can be combined with surgery for a better cosmetic outcome and improvement in patient quality of life.
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Alterations in Polyamine Metabolism in Patients With Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2-Deficient Cells.
Tang, Y, El-Chemaly, S, Taveira-Dasilva, A, Goldberg, HJ, Bagwe, S, Rosas, IO, Moss, J, Priolo, C, Henske, EP
Chest. 2019;(6):1137-1148
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a destructive lung disease that affects primarily women, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, leading to hyperactivation of mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Rapamycin (sirolimus) treatment suppresses mTORC1 but also induces autophagy, which promotes the survival of TSC2-deficient cells. Based on the hypothesis that simultaneous inhibition of mTORC1 and autophagy would limit the availability of critical nutrients and inhibit LAM cells, we conducted a phase 1 clinical trial of sirolimus and hydroxychloroquine for LAM. Here, we report the analyses of plasma metabolomic profiles from the clinical trial. METHODS We analyzed the plasma metabolome in samples obtained before, during, and after 6 months of treatment with sirolimus and hydroxychloroquine, using univariate statistical models and machine learning approaches. Metabolites and metabolic pathways were validated in TSC2-deficient cells derived from patients with LAM. Single-cell RNA-Seq was employed to assess metabolic enzymes in an early-passage culture from an LAM lung. RESULTS Metabolomic profiling revealed changes in polyamine metabolism during treatment, with 5'-methylthioadenosine and arginine among the most highly upregulated metabolites. Similar findings were observed in TSC2-deficient cells derived from patients with LAM. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of primary LAM cultured cells revealed that mTORC1 inhibition upregulated key enzymes in the polyamine metabolism pathway, including adenosylmethionine decarboxylase 1. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that polyamine metabolic pathways are targeted by the combination of rapamycin and hydroxychloroquine, leading to upregulation of 5'-methylthioadenosine and arginine in the plasma of patients with LAM and in TSC2-deficient cells derived from a patient with LAM upon treatment with this drug combination. TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01687179; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Partners Human Research Committee, protocol No. 2012P000669.
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Twelve-month angiographic and clinical outcomes of the XINSORB bioresorbable sirolimus-eluting scaffold and a metallic stent in patients with coronary artery disease.
Wu, Y, Shen, L, Yin, J, Chen, J, Qian, J, Ge, L, Ge, J, ,
International journal of cardiology. 2019;:61-66
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies showed bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) increased risks of late target lesion failure (TLF) and thrombosis. XINSORB scaffold is a poly-L-lactic acid based BRS. METHODS The study included randomization and registry parts. Eligible patients with one or two de novo lesions were randomly 1:1 assigned to XINSORB scaffold and sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in randomization part. These patients were clinically and angiographically assessed. In registry part, patients were treated with XINSORB scaffold only and were clinically assessed. The primary endpoint was in-segment late luminal loss (LLL) at 12-month in randomization part. The secondary endpoint was 12-month TLF in all XINSORB-treated patients. RESULTS Total 395 and 798 patients were enrolled in randomization and registry part, respectively. Device success was 98.0% (1069/1091) in all XINSORB-treated and 100% (221/221) in SES-treated lesions. The primary endpoint of in-segment LLL at 12-month was 0.19 ± 0.32 mm in XINSORB and 0.31 ± 0.41 mm in SES (P = 0.003), which met the noninferior margin of 0.195 mm (95% CI: -0.20, -0.04, P ≪ 0.0001). No difference was found in TLF between two devices. In all XINSORB-treated patients, 12-month TLF was 0.8% (8/998), which also met the noninferior margin of 9.0% (95% CI: 0.3%, 1.4%, P ≪ 0.0001). Only one device thrombosis was recorded in all XINSORB-treated patients while none in SES. CONCLUSIONS In the multicenter clinical trial, XINSORB BRS was noninferior to sirolimus-eluting stent for the primary endpoint of in-segment LLL at 12-month in patients with simple and moderate complex de novo coronary lesions. TLF at 12-month was low and comparable.
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae adapted to grow in the presence of low-dose rapamycin exhibit altered amino acid metabolism.
Dikicioglu, D, Dereli Eke, E, Eraslan, S, Oliver, SG, Kirdar, B
Cell communication and signaling : CCS. 2018;(1):85
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapamycin is a potent inhibitor of the highly conserved TOR kinase, the nutrient-sensitive controller of growth and aging. It has been utilised as a chemotherapeutic agent due to its anti-proliferative properties and as an immunosuppressive drug, and is also known to extend lifespan in a range of eukaryotes from yeast to mammals. However, the mechanisms through which eukaryotic cells adapt to sustained exposure to rapamycin have not yet been thoroughly investigated. METHODS Here, S. cerevisiae response to long-term rapamycin exposure was investigated by identifying the physiological, transcriptomic and metabolic differences observed for yeast populations inoculated into low-dose rapamycin-containing environment. The effect of oxygen availability and acidity of extracellular environment on this response was further deliberated by controlling or monitoring the dissolved oxygen level and pH of the culture. RESULTS Yeast populations grown in the presence of rapamycin reached higher cell densities complemented by an increase in their chronological lifespan, and these physiological adaptations were associated with a rewiring of the amino acid metabolism, particularly that of arginine. The ability to synthesise amino acids emerges as the key factor leading to the major mechanistic differences between mammalian and microbial TOR signalling pathways in relation to nutrient recognition. CONCLUSION Oxygen levels and extracellular acidity of the culture were observed to conjointly affect yeast populations, virtually acting as coupled physiological effectors; cells were best adapted when maximal oxygenation of the culture was maintained in slightly acidic pH, any deviation necessitated more extensive readjustment to additional stress factors.
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Treatment of Lymphatic Malformations with the mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus: A Systematic Review.
Wiegand, S, Wichmann, G, Dietz, A
Lymphatic research and biology. 2018;(4):330-339
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive lymphatic malformations are low-flow vascular malformations that can cause devastating complications. Treatment of these malformations is challenging. This systematic review presents current use of sirolimus in patients with extensive lymphatic malformations. METHODS MEDLINE and Google scholar search was conducted for studies on sirolimus treatment of lymphatic malformations up to July 2017. Search items included "lymphatic malformation," "lymphangioma," "cystic hygroma," "vascular malformation," "low-flow malformation," "sirolimus," "rapamycin," and "mTOR inhibitor." RESULTS Twenty studies, including 71 patients receiving sirolimus, were included into this review. Forty-five patients had lymphatic malformations, eight patients venolymphatic malformations, and 19 patients capillary-lymphatico-venous malformations. Sirolimus led to a partial remission of disease in 60 patients, three patients had a progressive disease, and the outcome of eight patients was not reported. Dosing, target trough level, and duration of treatment differed between the studies. Common adverse effects were hyperlipidemia and neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS Available literature indicated that sirolimus therapy might be effective for lymphatic malformations. However, further randomized controlled studies are required to analyze the efficacy and long-term adverse events and to clarify the potential role for sirolimus in the management of lymphatic malformations.
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Insulin-mimetic effects of short-term rapamycin in type 1 diabetic patients prior to islet transplantation.
Benedini, S, Ermetici, F, Briganti, S, Codella, R, Terruzzi, I, Maffi, P, Caldara, R, Secchi, A, Nano, R, Piemonti, L, et al
Acta diabetologica. 2018;(7):715-722
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunosuppressive drug rapamycin may influence insulin sensitivity in insulin-responsive tissues. AIMS This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of rapamycin pre-treatment before pancreatic islet allotransplantation (ITx) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS Forty-one T1DM patients were studied. Thirteen patients with poor glycemic control underwent a short-term rapamycin treatment before ITx (Group 1), and they were compared to 28 patients undergoing ITx without rapamycin pre-treatment (Group 2). Outcomes were daily insulin requirement (DIR), fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide and the SUITO index of beta-cell function. A subgroup of patients pre-treated with rapamycin before ITx underwent euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with [6,6-2H2] glucose before and after ITx to evaluate insulin sensitivity. RESULTS We found a significant reduction in DIR after rapamycin pre-treatment (- 8 ± 6 U/day, mean ± SD, p < 0.001) and 1 year after ITx. DIR reduction 1 year after ITx was greater in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 (- 37 ± 15 vs. - 19 ± 13 U/day, p = 0.005) and remained significant after adjusting for gender, age, glucose and baseline HbA1c (beta = 18.2 ± 5.9, p = 0.006). Fasting glucose and HbA1c significantly decreased 1 year after ITx in Group 1 (HbA1c: - 2.1 ± 1.4%, p = 0.002), while fasting C-peptide (+0.5 ± 0.3 nmol/l, p = 0.002) and SUITO index increased (+57.4 ± 39.7, p = 0.016), without differences between the two groups. Hepatic glucose production decreased after rapamycin pre-treatment (- 1.1 ± 1.1 mg/kg/min, p = 0.04) and after ITx (- 1.6 ± 0.6 mg/kg/min, p = 0.015), while no changes in peripheral glucose disposal were observed. CONCLUSIONS Rapamycin pre-treatment before ITx succeeds in reducing insulin requirement, enhancing hepatic insulin sensitivity. This treatment may improve short-term ITx outcomes, possibly in selected patients with T1DM complicated by insulin resistance. CLINICAL TRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01060605; NCT00014911.
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Sirolimus in patients with clinically active systemic lupus erythematosus resistant to, or intolerant of, conventional medications: a single-arm, open-label, phase 1/2 trial.
Lai, ZW, Kelly, R, Winans, T, Marchena, I, Shadakshari, A, Yu, J, Dawood, M, Garcia, R, Tily, H, Francis, L, et al
Lancet (London, England). 2018;(10126):1186-1196
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have T-cell dysfunction that has been attributed to the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Rapamycin inhibits antigen-induced T-cell proliferation and has been developed as a medication under the generic designation of sirolimus. We assessed safety, tolerance, and efficacy of sirolimus in a prospective, biomarker-driven, open-label clinical trial. METHODS We did a single-arm, open-label, phase 1/2 trial of sirolimus in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus disease unresponsive to, or intolerant of, conventional medications at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University (Syracuse, NY, USA). Eligible participants (aged ≥18 years) had active systemic lupus erythematosus fulfilling four or more of 11 diagnostic criteria defined by the American College of Rheumatology. We excluded patients with allergy or intolerance to sirolimus, patients with life-threatening manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, proteinuria, a urine protein to creatinine ratio higher than 0·5, anaemia, leucopenia, or thrombocytopenia. Patients received oral sirolimus at a starting dose of 2 mg per day, with dose adjusted according to tolerance and to maintain a therapeutic range of 6-15 ng/mL. Patients were treated with sirolimus for 12 months. Safety outcomes included tolerance as assessed by the occurrence of common side-effects. The primary efficacy endpoint was decrease in disease activity, assessed using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Blood samples of 56 matched healthy individuals were obtained as controls for immunobiological outcomes monitored at each visit. The primary efficacy endpoint was assessed in all patients who completed 12 months of treatment, and all patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the safety analyses. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00779194. FINDINGS Between March 9, 2009, and Dec 8, 2014, 43 patients were enrolled, three of whom did not meet eligibility criteria. 11 of the 40 eligible patients discontinued study treatment because of intolerance (n=2) or non-compliance (n=9). SLEDAI and BILAG disease activity scores were reduced during 12 months of treatment in 16 (55%) of 29 patients who completed treatment. Mean SLEDAI score decreased from 10·2 (SD 5·6) at enrolment to 4·8 (4·5) after 12 months of treatment (p<0·001) and the mean total BILAG index score decreased from 28·4 (12·4) at enrolment to 17·4 (10·7) after 12 months of treatment (p<0·001). The mean daily dose of prednisone required to control disease activity decreased from 23·7 mg (SD 9·6) to 7·2 mg (2·3; p<0·001) after 12 months of treatment. Sirolimus expanded CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and CD8+ memory T-cell populations and inhibited interleukin-4 and interleukin-17 production by CD4+ and CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells after 12 months. CD8+ memory T cells were selectively expanded in SRI-responders. Patient liver function and lymphocyte counts were unchanged. Although HDL-cholesterol (Z=-2·50, p=0·012), neutrophil counts (Z=-1·92, p=0·054), and haemoglobin (Z=-2·83, p=0·005) were moderately reduced during treatment, all changes occurred within a range that was considered safe. Platelet counts were slightly elevated during treatment (Z=2·06, p=0·0400). INTERPRETATION These data show that a progressive improvement in disease activity is associated with correction of pro-inflammatory T-cell lineage specification in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus during 12 months of sirolimus treatment. Follow-up placebo-controlled clinical trials in diverse patient populations are warranted to further define the role of mTOR blockade in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. FUNDING Pfizer, the National Institutes of Health, and the Central New York Community Foundation.