title: Changes in lung function and chylous effusions in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis treated with sirolimus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a disorder that affects women and is characterized by cystic lung destruction, chylous effusions, lymphangioleiomyomas, and angiomyolipomas. It is caused by proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle-like cells. Sirolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor that has been reported to decrease the size of neoplastic growths in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex and to reduce the size of angiomyolipomas and stabilize lung function in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether sirolimus therapy is associated with improvement in lung function and a decrease in the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas in patients with LAM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  19 patients with rapidly progressing LAM or chylous effusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment with sirolimus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lung function and the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas before and during sirolimus therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a mean of 2.5 years before beginning sirolimus therapy, the mean (±SE) FEV1 decreased by 2.8%±0.8% predicted and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) decreased by 4.8%±0.9% predicted per year. In contrast, over a mean of 2.6 years of sirolimus therapy, the mean (±SE) FEV1 increased by 1.8%±0.5% predicted and Dlco increased by 0.8%±0.5% predicted per year (P<0.001). After beginning sirolimus therapy, 12 patients with chylous effusions and 11 patients with lymphangioleiomyomas experienced almost complete resolution of these conditions. In 2 of the 12 patients, sirolimus therapy enabled discontinuation of pleural fluid drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was an observational study. The resolution of effusions may have affected improvements in lung function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sirolimus therapy is associated with improvement or stabilization of lung function and reduction in the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas in patients with LAM.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Intramural Research Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1590, USA. dasilvaa@nhlbi.nih.gov
authors.forename: Angelo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Taveira-DaSilva
authors.forename: Olanda
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hathaway
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stylianou
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002913:Chyle / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008203:Lymphangiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D019370:Observation; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D020123:Sirolimus