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Sirolimus (rapamycin)-based therapy in human renal transplantation: similar efficacy and different toxicity compared with cyclosporine. Sirolimus European Renal Transplant Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Sirolimus (rapamycin) is a potent immunosuppressant with a mechanism of action different from cyclosporine (CsA) or tacrolimus. METHODS: In 11 European centers, first cadaveric renal allograft recipients were randomized to CsA (n=42) or sirolimus (n=41). Dosing of these agents was concentration-controlled and open-labeled. All patients received corticosteroids and azathioprine. RESULTS: At 12 months, graft survival (98% sirolimus vs. 90% CsA), patient survival (100% vs. 98%), and incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (41% vs. 38%) were similar. Serum creatinine was lower with sirolimus, significantly (P< or =0.05) so at 3 and 4 months, and serum uric acid and magnesium were normal. Laboratory abnormalities reported significantly more often with sirolimus included hypertriglyceridemia (51% vs. 12%), hypercholesterolemia (44% vs. 14%), thrombocytopenia (37% vs. 0%), leukopenia (39% vs. 14%), and, of lesser importance, increased liver enzymes and hypokalemia. These abnormalities improved 2 months after transplantation when the sirolimus target trough level was lowered from 30 to 15 ng/ml. Occurrence of cytomegalovirus was comparable (14% vs. 12%); incidences of herpes simplex (24% vs. 10%, P=0.08) and pneumonia (17% vs. 2%, P=0.03) were higher with sirolimus. No gingival hyperplasia was seen with sirolimus, tremor was rare, and hypertension was less frequent (17% vs. 33%). Two malignancies were observed with CsA and none with sirolimus. CONCLUSIONS: Results at 12 months suggest that sirolimus can be used as base therapy in the prophylaxis of acute renal transplant rejection, and has a safety profile that differs from CsA.

Adult↗

Impact of sirolimus-eluting stents on outcome in diabetic patients: a SIRIUS (SIRolImUS-coated Bx Velocity balloon-expandable stent in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions) substudy.

BACKGROUND: Randomized clinical trials have shown that a sirolimus-eluting stent significantly reduces restenosis after percutaneous coronary revascularization. Diabetic patients are known to have a higher risk of restenosis compared with nondiabetic patients. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the impact of sirolimus-eluting stents on outcomes of diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SIRIUS (SIRolImUS-coated Bx Velocity balloon-expandable stent in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions) trial is a randomized, double-blind study that compared sirolimus-eluting and bare metal stent implantation in 1058 patients with de novo native coronary artery lesions. Diabetes mellitus was present in 279 (26%) patients (diabetes mellitus group, 131 patients received sirolimus-eluting stents and 148 patients received bare metal stents) and was absent in 778 patients (no-diabetes mellitus group, 402 patients received sirolimus-eluting stents and 376 patients received bare metal stents). At 270 days, target lesion revascularization was reduced in diabetic patients from 22.3% with bare metal stents to 6.9% with sirolimus-eluting stents (P<0.001) and in nondiabetic patients from 14.1% to 2.99% (P<0.001), respectively. Major adverse cardiac events were reduced in diabetic patients from 25% with bare metal stents to 9.2% with sirolimus-eluting stents (P<0.001) and from 16.5% to 6.5% (P<0.001) in nondiabetic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of sirolimus-eluting stents compared with bare metal stents in de novo coronary lesions reduces major adverse cardiac events in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. However, among patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, there remains a trend toward a higher frequency of repeat intervention in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients, particularly in the insulin-requiring patients.

Aged↗

Bicêtre hospital experience with sirolimus-based therapy in human renal transplantation: the Sirolimus European Renal Transplant Study.

In 11 European centers, first cadaveric renal allograft recipients were randomized to CsA (n = 42) or sirolimus (n = 41). Dosing of these agents was concentration-controlled and open-labeled. All patients received corticosteroids and azathioprine. At 12 months, graft survival (98% sirolimus vs 93% CsA), patient survival (100% vs 98%), and incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (41% vs 38%) were similar. Serum creatinine was lower with sirolimus, significantly (P </=.05) so at 3 and 4 months, and serum uric acid and magnesium were normal. Laboratory abnormalities were reported significantly more often with sirolimus, which included hypertriglyceridemia (51% vs 12%), hypercholesterolemia (44% vs 14%), thrombocytopenia (37% vs 0%), leukopenia (39% vs 14%), and, of lesser importance, increased liver enzymes and hypokalemia. These abnormalities improved 2 months after transplantation when the sirolimus target trough level was lowered from 30 to 15 ng/mL. Occurrence of cytomegalovirus was comparable (14% vs 12%), but incidence of herpes simplex (24% vs 10%, P =.08) and pneumonia (17% vs 2%, P =.03) were higher with sirolimus. No gingival hyperplasia was seen with sirolimus, tremor was rare, and hypertension was less frequent (17% vs 33%). Two malignancies were observed with CsA, none with sirolimus. Results at 12 months suggest that sirolimus can be used as base therapy in the prophylaxis of acute renal transplant rejection, and has a safety profile that differs from that of CsA.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Efficacies of sirolimus (rapamycin) and cyclosporine in allograft vascular disease in non-human primates: trough levels of sirolimus correlate with inhibition of progression of arterial intimal thickening.

We investigated the efficacies of sirolimus (rapamycin) and cyclosporine for inhibition of graft vascular disease (GVD) in cynomolgus monkey recipients of aortic allografts. Increases in arterial intimal thickening in the midgraft (six consecutive cross-sections) after transplantation were quantified by serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) from day 21 to day 105. These data enabled correlations between changes in intimal indexes [II = (intimal area/vessel area) x 100] and trough levels of sirolimus and cyclosporine to be determined. Eighteen recipients received no immunosuppression for 6 weeks to allow alloimmune injury to occur. On day 45, monkeys were treated daily with sirolimus (n = 6) or cyclosporine (n = 6); six monkeys remained untreated. II increased significantly from day 63 to day 105 in untreated monkeys and monkeys treated with cyclosporine, whereas monkeys treated with sirolimus did not have a significant increase in II (P = 0.008, P = 0.006, P = NS; paired t-test). The change in II from days 63 to 105 was significantly greater in untreated monkeys compared to sirolimus-treated monkeys (P = 0.13; one-way ANOVA, P = 0.012 Tukey's post hoc test); other post hoc pairwise comparisons were not significant. Mean sirolimus and cyclosporine levels +/- SEM were 43 +/- 7 ng/ml and 562 +/- 20 ng/ml, respectively. Sirolimus trough levels, but not cyclosporine levels, correlated inversely with changes in II from day 42 to 105 (r2 = 0.73, P = 0.03). This non-human primate study shows that inhibition of intimal thickening by sirolimus depends on trough levels and provides the rationale for clinical trials of sirolimus for the control of GVD in organ transplant recipients.

Animals↗

Sirolimus PK trial: a pharmacokinetic study of the sirolimus-eluting Bx velocity stent in patients with de novo coronary lesions.

This study was conducted to assess the systemic drug release and distribution of sirolimus-eluting stents. Early results with sirolimus-eluting stents have demonstrated a favorable outcome for reducing restenosis post coronary intervention. However, the clinical systemic pharmacokinetics of sirolimus released from these stents has not been investigated. Sirolimus-eluting stents (150-178 mcg/18 mm stent) were implanted in 19 patients with coronary artery disease using standard techniques. Blood samples were obtained at multiple times to determine the kinetics of sirolimus release and elimination. Non-compartmental analysis showed that the maximum blood concentration of sirolimus occurred between 3 and 4 hr after implantation, with a peak concentration of 0.57 +/- 0.12 ng/mL (mean +/- SD) and 1.05 +/- 0.39 ng/mL in patients receiving one or two stents, respectively. Terminal-phase elimination half-life was independent of the number of stents and averaged at 213 hr, a value longer than that seen in patients following oral dosing. The apparent clearance was 1.46 +/- 0.45 L/hr with an apparent volume of distribution in the terminal phase of 407 +/- 111 L (data for both stent doses pooled). Minimal measurable blood levels were detectable at 7 days. Peak whole blood level following sirolimus stent implantation in humans is proportional to the number of stents implanted. The prolonged terminal half-life may reflect kinetics of blood clearance combined with continued drug elution and secondary local tissue release.

Adult↗

Sirolimus in pediatric gastrointestinal transplantation: the use of sirolimus for pediatric transplant patients with tacrolimus-related cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) associated with the use of tacrolimus is a rare complication of liver and intestinal transplantation seen almost exclusively among pediatric patients. Reduction of tacrolimus dosage or conversion to cyclosporin A (CsA) has been used as an effective treatment in reviewed cases. We present three pediatric transplant recipients who developed hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy while under tacrolimus immunosuppression and were treated with conversion to sirolimus (Rapamycin). The patients (ages 6 yr, 12 yr and 11 months) were transplant recipients (liver, n = 2; liver and intestine, n = 1) who developed significant cardiomyopathy 15 and 96 months post-transplant. One patient died of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder 21 days after starting sirolimus. One patient had received two liver transplants and had been on CsA for 12 yr before conversion to tacrolimus at 60 months post-transplant for acute and chronic rejection. The surviving patients were receiving mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus and steroids at the time of diagnosis. Dose reduction of tacrolimus and treatment with beta blockers failed to alleviate the hemodynamic changes. The patients were converted to sirolimus 1.6, 37 and 148 months post-transplant and maintained a whole-blood trough level of 15-20 ng/mL 21 days after starting sirolimus. Repeat echocardiograms in the surviving patients showed improvement in cardiomyopathy. One patient had one rejection episode (intestinal biopsy, mild acute cellular rejection) after starting sirolimus that responded to a transient increase in steroids. The early demise of the third patient after sirolimus conversion prevented an adequate assessment of cardiomyopathy. Conversion to sirolimus was associated with a reduction in the cardiomyopathy of the two surviving patients while still providing effective immunosuppression. To our knowledge this observation has not been previously reported.

Acute Disease↗

A randomized long-term trial of tacrolimus and sirolimus versus tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine (NEORAL) and sirolimus in renal transplantation. I. Drug interactions and rejection at one year.

BACKGROUND: To reduce long-term nephrotoxic calcineurin inhibitor dosage, adjunctive sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was used in a 150-patient, randomized, three-armed trial in cadaveric or human leukocyte antigen non-identical living-donor first renal transplant recipients (n=50/group). METHODS: Group A received tacrolimus and sirolimus. Target tacrolimus trough levels postoperatively were 10, 8, and 6 ng/mL at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. Group B received tacrolimus and MMF. Target tacrolimus trough levels were 10 and 8 ng/mL at 1 month and 1 year, with a targeted dose of MMF of 1 g twice daily. Group C received cyclosporine A (CsA) (Neoral, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) and sirolimus with target CsA trough levels of 225 and 175 ng/mL at 1 month and 1 year. Maintenance sirolimus target trough levels were 8 ng/mL in groups A and C. Each group received daclizumab induction and methylprednisolone maintenance. This first of two companion 1-year reports details demographics, drug-dosing interactions, and rejection. RESULTS: There were no notable differences in group demographics, but a somewhat less favorable course occurred in group C, despite higher bioavailability of sirolimus in group C versus group A (P<0.001). Acute rejection rates were lower in groups A (4%) and B (4%) combined versus group C (14%) (P=0.03). Histopathologic findings were supported by comparing perioperative with 1-year postoperative protocol biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: This 1-year interim analysis indicates that a decreasing dosage of tacrolimus with either adjunctive sirolimus or MMF may optimize future graft survival versus a less favorable outcome using a similar algorithm with CsA and sirolimus.

Adult↗

Sirolimus causes relaxation of human vascular smooth muscle: a novel action of sirolimus mediated via ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Little is known about the vasomotor effects of sirolimus, and preliminary studies using animal models have provided conflicting results. The present study was designed to determine the effects of sirolimus on vasomotor tone in human blood vessels. Human radial artery segments were cut into rings, denuded of endothelium, and placed into organ chambers for isometric tension recording. Sirolimus (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of human arteries contracted with U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-11alpha,9alpha-epoxymethano-prostaglandin F(2alpha); 10(-8) M) [-log (M) EC(50) (pD(2)) = 7.28 +/- 0.1; E(max) = 57 +/- 6%] or phenylephrine (10(-6) M) (pD(2) = 7.16 +/- 0.4; E(max) = 45 +/- 9%). Sirolimus-induced relaxation was unaffected by treatment with indomethacin (10(-5) M) but was nearly abolished in tissues contracted by depolarization with elevated K(+) (60 mM). In U46619-contracted rings, the response to sirolimus was markedly inhibited in the presence of the specific ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel blocker, glyburide (10(-6) M), but was unaffected by treatment with blockers of large conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel (iberiotoxin, 10(-7) M), small conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel (apamin, 10(-6) M), or voltage-gated potassium channel (4-aminopyridine, 10(-3) M). The K(ATP) channel opener, aprikalim (10(-7) to 10(-5) M), caused concentration-dependent relaxations that were inhibited by glyburide (10(-6) M) and abolished in tissues contracted with elevated K(+) (60 mM), thus confirming that K(ATP) channel opening causes relaxation of these arteries. These data suggest that sirolimus, at concentrations attained in vivo, causes relaxation of human arteries, and this effect is mediated by opening of K(ATP) channels in vascular smooth muscle. Reduced vasomotor tone is a heretofore unrecognized action of sirolimus that could potentially contribute to its efficacy in drug-eluting stents.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral sirolimus for restenosis prevention in patients with in-stent restenosis: the Oral Sirolimus to Inhibit Recurrent In-stent Stenosis (OSIRIS) trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in interventional cardiology, including the introduction of drug-eluting stents for de novo coronary lesions, the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging clinical issue. Given the efficacy of systemic sirolimus administration to prevent neointimal hyperplasia in animal models and to halt and even reverse the progression of allograft vasculopathy, the aim of the present double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 10-day oral sirolimus treatment with 2 different loading regimens for the prevention of recurrent restenosis in patients with ISR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three hundred symptomatic patients with ISR were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment arms: placebo or usual-dose or high-dose sirolimus. Patients received a cumulative loading dose of 0, 8, or 24 mg of sirolimus 2 days before and the day of repeat intervention followed by maintenance therapy of 2 mg/d for 7 days. Angiographic restenosis at 6-month angiography was the primary end point of the study. Restenosis was significantly reduced from 42.2% to 38.6% and to 22.1% in the placebo, usual-dose, and high-dose sirolimus groups, respectively (P=0.005). Similarly, the need for target vessel revascularization was reduced from 25.5% to 24.2% and to 15.2% in the placebo, usual-dose, and high-dose groups, respectively (P=0.08). The sirolimus blood concentration on the day of the procedure correlated significantly with the late lumen loss at follow-up (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ISR, an oral adjunctive sirolimus treatment with an intensified loading regimen before coronary intervention resulted in a significant improvement in the angiographic parameters of restenosis.

Administration, Oral↗

Randomized comparison of sirolimus-eluting stent versus standard stent for percutaneous coronary revascularization in diabetic patients: the diabetes and sirolimus-eluting stent (DIABETES) trial.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions in diabetic patients are shadowed by the increased rate of recurrence compared with nondiabetic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial to demonstrate the efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stents compared with standard stents to prevent restenosis in diabetic patients with de novo lesions in native coronary arteries. The primary end point of the trial was in-segment late lumen loss as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography at 9-month follow-up. The trial was stratified by diabetes treatment status. One hundred sixty patients were randomized to sirolimus-eluting stents (80 patients; 111 lesions) or standard stent implantation (80 patients; 110 lesions). On average, reference diameter was 2.34+/-0.6 mm, lesion length was 15.0+/-8 mm, and 13.1% of lesions were chronic total occlusions. In-segment late lumen loss was reduced from 0.47+/-0.5 mm for standard stents to 0.06+/-0.4 mm for sirolimus stents (P<0.001). Target-lesion revascularization and major adverse cardiac event rates were significantly lower in the sirolimus group (31.3% versus 7.3% and 36.3% versus 11.3%, respectively; both P<0.001). Non-insulin- and insulin-requiring patients demonstrated similar reductions in angiographic and clinical parameters of restenosis after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. During the 9-month follow-up, stent thrombosis occurred in 2 patients after standard stent implantation. Conversely, this phenomenon was not seen in the sirolimus stent group. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial demonstrated that sirolimus stent implantation is safe and efficacious in reducing both angiographic and clinical parameters of restenosis compared with standard stents in diabetic patients with de novo coronary stenoses.

Aged↗

Sirolimus monotherapy versus sirolimus in combination with steroids and/or MMF for immunosuppression after liver transplantation.

Calcineurin inhibitor (CI)-associated renal dysfunction has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. In this retrospective study, we compared the efficacy, safety, and renal protective effect of sirolimus monotherapy (Group A; n = 26) with sirolimus in combination (Group B; n = 34) with steroids and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in liver transplant recipients who were switched from CI. Patients were switched abruptly or over a period of 2-4 weeks and followed for 17 +/- 10 months. Preconversion renal biopsies in five of six patients showed histological features consistent with CI nephrotoxicity. Serum creatinine increased in the year prior to conversion from 1.7 +/- 0.4 to 2.1 +/- 0.7 mg/dl (P = 0.009) and improved thereafter (1 month, 1.7 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001; 6 months, 1.6 +/- 0.5, P < 0.001; last follow-up, 1.7 +/- 0.9, P = 0.02); only four patients showed a significant decline in renal function after conversion. Seven (11.3%) patients experienced acute rejection (Group A, two; Group B, five; P = NS) and this resulted in the discontinuation of sirolimus in one patient. Fifty-four adverse events occurred in 40 (67%) patients, with similar numbers of adverse events in Group A and Group B. Most episodes of rejection (5/7; 71%), adverse events (45/54; 83%), and discontinuations (5/8; 63%) occurred within 6 months of conversion. We conclude that both sirolimus monotherapy and sirolimus in combination with prednisone and/or MMF are efficacious and safe in liver transplant recipients. Conversion to sirolimus was associated with an immediate improvement in renal function that was sustained during the follow-up.

Aged↗

Angiographic findings of the multicenter Randomized Study With the Sirolimus-Eluting Bx Velocity Balloon-Expandable Stent (RAVEL): sirolimus-eluting stents inhibit restenosis irrespective of the vessel size.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis remains the major limitation of coronary catheter-based intervention. In small vessels, the amount of neointimal tissue is disproportionately greater than the vessel caliber, resulting in higher restenosis rates. In the Randomized Study With the Sirolimus-Eluting Bx Velocity Balloon-Expandable Stent (RAVEL) trial, approximately 40% of the vessels were small (<2.5 mm). The present study evaluates the relationship between angiographic outcome and vessel diameter for sirolimus-eluting stents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were randomized to receive either an 18-mm bare metal Bx VELOCITY (BS group, n=118), or a sirolimus-eluting Bx VELOCITY stent (SES group, n=120). Subgroups were stratified into tertiles according to their reference diameter (RD; stratum I, RD <2.36 mm; stratum II, RD 2.36 mm to 2.84 mm; stratum III, RD >2.84 mm). At 6-month follow-up, the restenosis rate in the SES group was 0% in all strata (versus 35%, 26%, and 20%, respectively, in the BS group). In-stent late loss was 0.01+/-0.25 versus 0.80+/-0.43 mm in stratum I, 0.01+/-0.38 versus 0.88+/-0.57 mm in stratum II, and -0.06+/-0.35 versus 0.74+/-0.57 mm in stratum III (SES versus BS). In SES, the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) remained unchanged (Delta -0.72 to 0.72 mm) in 97% of the lesions and increased (=late gain, DeltaMLD <-0.72 mm) in 3% of the lesions. Multivariate predictors for late loss were treatment allocation (P<0.001) and postprocedural MLD (P= 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus-eluting stents prevent neointimal proliferation and late lumen loss irrespective of the vessel diameter. The classic inverse relationship between vessel diameter and restenosis rate was seen in the bare stent group but not in the sirolimus-eluting stent group.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Molecular actions of sirolimus: sirolimus and mTor.

Recent therapeutic strategies to combat organ allograft rejection have focused on T-cell signaling pathways and the molecules that comprise them. The macrolide antibiotic produced by the bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus, known as sirolimus or rapamycin, has shown great therapeutic potential in the transplant setting. Sirolimus alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents can block acute rejection, chronic graft destruction, and promote permanent allograft acceptance. Sirolimus targets a unique serine-threonine kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor), which plays a key role in mitogenic and nutritional cells signals. Within T cells, mTor regulates a number of proteins likely dependent on T cell growth factors such as interleukin 2. This review is focused on the molecular mechanisms by which mTor may regulate T-cell signaling cascades and affect T-cell responsiveness, and how sirolimus likely uncouples this activity.

Enzyme Activation↗

Two-year outcomes after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation: results from the Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in de Novo Native Coronary Lesions (SIRIUS) trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the two-year clinical outcomes in patients enrolled in the Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in De Novo Native Coronary Lesions (SIRIUS) study. BACKGROUND: The SIRIUS study was a double-blinded randomized study which demonstrated that sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) significantly improved angiographic results (at 8 months) and clinical outcomes (at 9 and 12 months) compared with bare-metal stents (BMS). METHODS: Patients with de novo native coronary artery lesions randomized to either SES (533 patients) or control BMS (525 patients) were followed for two years. RESULTS: Between one and two years, there were infrequent additional clinical events that were equally distributed between the sirolimus and control groups. After two years, target lesion revascularization was 5.8% and 21.3% in SES and control patients, respectively (p < 0.001), and major adverse cardiovascular events and target vessel failure rates were 10.1% versus 24.4% and 12.0% versus 26.7%, respectively (p < 0.0001 for both). There were no differences in death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes two years after implantation of SES continue to demonstrate significant reduction in the need for repeat target lesion (and vessel) revascularization compared with BMS without evidence for either disproportionate late restenosis or late stent thrombosis.

Coronary Angiography↗

Effectiveness and safety of sirolimus stent implantation for coronary in-stent restenosis: the TRUE (Tuscany Registry of Sirolimus for Unselected In-Stent Restenosis) Registry.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the sirolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in consecutive unselected patients undergoing coronary intervention in a real-world scenario. BACKGROUND: Restenosis after bare metal stenting is characterized by a high rate of re-restenosis once treated with repeated percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective two-center registry. We enrolled 244 patients with ISR in a native coronary artery or saphenous vein graft who had clinical indication for repeat intervention. RESULTS: Sirolimus stent implantation was successful in all lesions. At 9-month follow-up, death occurred in 4 (1.6%) patients, myocardial infarction in 4 (1.6%), and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) in 12 (4.9%), for a cumulative event-free survival of 227 (93%). Although 9-month follow-up angiography was planned in all patients, only 150 (62%) patients completed it, and restenosis was present in 13 (8.7%) patients. Diabetes and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome at presentation were the only independent predictors of freedom from ischemia-driven TLR and major adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus stent implantation for the treatment of ISR is effective and safe. In diabetic patients and in those with acute coronary syndrome, the higher rate of recurrence requires further evaluation.

Aged↗

Design of a trial comparing sirolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil versus sirolimus plus cyclosporine.

We present the study design of a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial aimed at comparing the effects of two different combinations of sirolimus. Renal transplant recipients will be allocated to receive either sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (group A) or sirolimus and cyclosporine (group B). The primary endpoint will be the graft function at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. A number of secondary endpoints will also be considered. To obtain a significant difference in the primary endpoint 180 patients will be enrolled.

Adult↗

Comparative study analyzing effects of sirolimus-cyclosporin and sirolimus-tacrolimus combinations on bile flow in the rat.

The new immunosuppressive agent sirolimus is combined in transplant patients with the cholestatic substances cyclosporin and tacrolimus. Nothing is known about possible cholestatic effects of these combinations. Therefore, we compared their effects on bile flow and on important bile parameters in an acute bile fistula model in rats. Cyclosporin reduced bile flow, biliary excretion of bile salts, cholesterol, and GSH to 20-40% of basal values. Sirolimus decreased bile flow to 50% and excretion of GSH to 30% of the initial conditions but had no effect on cholesterol and bile salt excretion. In contrast, tacrolimus increased bile flow to 120% and GSH excretion to 220% of the basal levels. Sirolimus/cyclosporin decreased bile flow and bile parameters to the same extent as cyclosporin alone. Sirolimus/tacrolimus reversed sirolimus-induced reduction of bile flow and GSH excretion and resulted in a normal bile salt and cholesterol excretion, thus it may be the better alternative in cholestatic patients.

Animals↗

A randomized comparison of sirolimus-eluting stent with balloon angioplasty in patients with in-stent restenosis: results of the Restenosis Intrastent: Balloon Angioplasty Versus Elective Sirolimus-Eluting Stenting (RIBS-II) trial.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND: Treatment of patients with ISR remains a challenge. METHODS: The Restenosis Intrastent: Balloon Angioplasty Versus Elective Sirolimus-Eluting Stenting (RIBS-II) study is a multicenter randomized trial conducted in 150 patients with ISR (76 allocated to SES and 74 to balloon angioplasty [BA]). The primary end point was recurrent restenosis rate at nine months. Secondary end points included prespecified subgroup analysis, lumen volume on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and a composite of major clinical events at one year. RESULTS: Angiographic success was obtained in all patients. At 9-month angiographic follow-up (96% of eligible patients) minimal lumen diameter was larger (2.52 mm [interquartile range (IQR) 2.09 to 2.81] vs. 1.54 mm [IQR 0.91 to 2.05]; p < 0.001) and recurrent restenosis rate was lower (11% vs. 39%; p < 0.001) in the SES group. Prespecified subgroup analyses were consistent with the main outcome measure. Lumen volume on IVUS at 9 months was also larger (279 mm3 [IQR 227 to 300] vs. 197 mm3 [IQR 177 to 230]; p < 0.001) in the SES group. At one-year clinical follow-up (100% of patients), the event-free survival (freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) was significantly improved in the SES group (88% vs. 69%; p < 0.004) as the result of a lower requirement for target vessel revascularization (11% vs. 30%; p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ISR, the use of SES provides superior long-term clinical, angiographic, and IVUS outcome than BA treatment.

Aged↗