sirolimus and Astrocytoma

Potential benefits of rapamycin or rapalogs for treating people with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) have been shown. Currently everolimus (a rapalog) is only approved for TSC-associated renal angiomyolipoma and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), but not other manifestations of TSC. A systematic review needs to establish evidence for rapamycin or rapalogs for various manifestations in TSC. This is an updated review.. To determine the effectiveness of rapamycin or rapalogs in people with TSC for decreasing tumour size and other manifestations and to assess the safety of rapamycin or rapalogs in relation to their adverse effects.. We identified relevant studies from the Cochrane-Central-Register-of-Controlled-Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE and ongoing trials registries with no language restrictions. We searched conference proceedings and abstract books of conferences. Date of the last searches: 15 July 2022.. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of rapamycin or rapalogs in people with TSC.. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of each study; a third review author verified the extracted data and risk of bias decisions. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.. The current update added seven RCTs, bringing the total number to 10 RCTs (with 1008 participants aged 3 months to 65 years; 484 males). All TSC diagnoses were by consensus criteria as a minimum. In parallel studies, 645 participants received active interventions and 340 placebo. Evidence is low-to-high certainty and study quality is mixed; mostly a low risk of bias across domains, but one study had a high risk of performance bias (lack of blinding) and three studies had a high risk of attrition bias. Manufacturers of the investigational products supported eight studies. Systemic administration Six studies (703 participants) administered everolimus (rapalog) orally. More participants in the intervention arm reduced renal angiomyolipoma size by 50% (risk ratio (RR) 24.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.51 to 173.41; P = 0.001; 2 studies, 162 participants, high-certainty evidence). In the intervention arm, more participants in the intervention arm reduced SEGA tumour size by 50% (RR 27.85, 95% CI 1.74 to 444.82; P = 0.02; 1 study; 117 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) ,and reported more skin responses (RR 5.78, 95% CI 2.30 to 14.52; P = 0.0002; 2 studies; 224 participants; high-certainty evidence). In one 18-week study (366 participants), the intervention led to 25% fewer seizures (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.09; P = 0.0001) or 50% fewer seizures (RR 2.28, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.60; P = 0.0004); but there was no difference in numbers being seizure-free (RR 5.30, 95% CI 0.69 to 40.57; P = 0.11) (moderate-certainty evidence). One study (42 participants) showed no difference in neurocognitive, neuropsychiatry, behavioural, sensory and motor development (low-certainty evidence). Total adverse events (AEs) did not differ between groups (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.22; P = 0.16; 5 studies; 680 participants; high-certainty evidence). However, the intervention group experienced more AEs resulting in withdrawal, interruption of treatment, or reduced dose (RR 2.61, 95% CI 1.58 to 4.33; P = 0.0002; 4 studies; 633 participants; high-certainty evidence and also reported more severe AEs (RR 2.35, 95% CI 0.99 to 5.58; P = 0.05; 2 studies; 413 participants; high-certainty evidence). Topical (skin) administration Four studies (305 participants) administered rapamycin topically. More participants in the intervention arm showed a response to skin lesions (RR 2.72, 95% CI 1.76 to 4.18; P < 0.00001; 2 studies; 187 participants; high-certainty evidence) and more participants in t. Oral everolimus reduces the size of SEGA and renal angiomyolipoma by 50%, reduces seizure frequency by 25% and 50% and implements beneficial effects on skin lesions with no difference in the total number of AEs compared to placebo; however, more participants in the treatment group required a dose reduction, interruption or withdrawal and marginally more experienced serious AEs compared to placebo. Topical rapamycin increases the response to skin lesions and facial angiofibroma, an improvement score, satisfaction and the risk of any AE, but not severe adverse events. With caution regarding the risk of severe AEs, this review supports oral everolimus for renal angiomyolipoma, SEGA, seizure, and skin lesions, and topical rapamycin for facial angiofibroma.

Topics: Adult; Angiofibroma; Angiomyolipoma; Astrocytoma; Everolimus; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; MTOR Inhibitors; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Previous studies have shown potential benefits of rapamycin or rapalogs for treating people with tuberous sclerosis complex. Although everolimus (a rapalog) is currently approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and the EMA (European Medicines Agency) for tuberous sclerosis complex-associated renal angiomyolipoma and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, applications for other manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex have not yet been established. A systematic review is necessary to establish the clinical value of rapamycin or rapalogs for various manifestations in tuberous sclerosis complex.. To determine the effectiveness of rapamycin or rapalogs in people with tuberous sclerosis complex for decreasing tumour size and other manifestations and to assess the safety of rapamycin or rapalogs in relation to their adverse effects.. Relevant studies were identified by authors from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, and clinicaltrials.gov. Relevant resources were also searched by the authors, such as conference proceedings and abstract books of conferences, from e.g. the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex International Research Conferences, other tuberous sclerosis complex-related conferences and the Human Genome Meeting. We did not restrict the searches by language as long as English translations were available for non-English reports.Date of the last searches: 14 March 2016.. Randomized or quasi-randomized studies of rapamycin or rapalogs in people with tuberous sclerosis complex.. Data were independently extracted by two authors using standard acquisition forms. The data collection was verified by one author. The risk of bias of each study was independently assessed by two authors and verified by one author.. Three placebo-controlled studies with a total of 263 participants (age range 0.8 to 61 years old, 122 males and 141 females, with variable lengths of study duration) were included in the review. We found high-quality evidence except for response to skin lesions which was judged to be low quality due to the risk of attrition bias. Overall, there are 175 participants in the treatment arm (rapamycin or everolimus) and 88 in the placebo arm. Participants all had tuberous sclerosis complex as proven by consensus diagnostic criteria as a minimum. The quality in the description of the study methods was mixed, although we assessed most domains as having a low risk of bias. Blinding of treatment arms was successfully carried out in all of the studies. However, two studies did not report allocation concealment. Two of the included studies were funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.Two studies (235 participants) used oral (systemic) administration of everolimus (rapalog). These studies reported response to tumour size in terms of the number of individuals with a reduction in the total volume of tumours to 50% or more relative to baseline. Significantly more participants in the treatment arm (two studies, 162 participants, high quality evidence) achieved a 50% reduction in renal angiomyolipoma size, risk ratio 24.69 (95% confidence interval 3.51 to 173.41) (P = 0.001). For the sub-ependymal giant cell astrocytoma, our analysis of one study (117 participants, high quality evidence) showed significantly more participants in the treatment arm achieved a 50% reduction in tumour size, risk ratio 27.85 (95% confidence interval 1.74 to 444.82) (P = 0.02). The proportion of participants who showed a skin response from the two included studies analysed was significantly increased in the treatment arms, risk ratio 5.78 (95% confidence interval 2.30 to 14.52) (P = 0.0002) (two studies, 224 participants, high quality evidence). In one study (117 participants), the median change of seizure frequency was -2.9 in 24 hours (95% confidence interval -4.0 to -1.0) in the treatment group versus -4.1 in 24 hour (95% confidence interval -10.9 to 5.8) in the placebo group. In one study, one out of 79 participants in the treatment group versus three of 39 in placebo group had increased blood creatinine levels, while the median percentage change of forced expiratory volume at one second in the treatment arm was -1% compared to -4% in the placebo arm. In one study (117 participants, high quality. We found evidence that oral everolimus significantly increased the proportion of people who achieved a 50% reduction in the size of sub-ependymal giant cell astrocytoma and renal angiomyolipoma. Although we were unable to ascertain the relationship between the reported adverse events and the treatment, participants who received treatment had a similar risk of experiencing adverse events as compared to those who did not receive treatment. Nevertheless, the treatment itself significantly increased the risk of having dose reduction, interruption or withdrawal. This supports ongoing clinical applications of oral everolimus for renal angiomyolipoma and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Although oral everolimus showed beneficial effect on skin lesions, topical rapamycin only showed a non-significant tendency of improvement. Efficacy on skin lesions should be further established in future research. The beneficial effects of rapamycin or rapalogs on tuberous sclerosis complex should be further studied on other manifestations of the condition.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Angiolipoma; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Seizures; Sirolimus; Skin Diseases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tumor Burden

Everolimus is an orally administered inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Everolimus (starting dosage 3.0 mg/m(2)) was associated with a significant reduction in the volume of the largest subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in 28 patients aged ≥3 years with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in a phase II trial (C2485). At 6 months, 32% of patients treated with everolimus had a ≥50% reduction in the volume of their largest SEGA lesion (assessed via an independent central radiology review); 75% had a ≥30% reduction. No patients developed new lesions. During the extension phase of this trial (median duration 34 months), the reduction in SEGA volume was maintained, with no everolimus recipient requiring surgery or other therapy for SEGA or hydrocephalus. In a phase III trial (EXIST-1) in 117 patients with SEGA associated with TSC, 35% of everolimus recipients (starting dosage 4.5 mg/m(2)) versus none of the placebo recipients (p < 0.0001) had an overall response (a reduction in the sum of all target SEGA volumes of ≥50% relative to baseline, nonworsening of non-target SEGA lesions, no new SEGA lesions, and no new/worsening hydrocephalus). Everolimus was generally well tolerated in patients with SEGA associated with TSC; most drug-related adverse reactions were mild to moderate in severity.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Clinical Trials as Topic; Everolimus; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant disease, with variable expressivity and multisystemic involvement, which is characterised by the growth of benign tumours called hamartomas. The organs that are most commonly affected are the brain, skin, kidneys, eyes, heart and lungs. Of all the children with this disease, 85% present neurological manifestations that, due to their severity, are the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The most significant neurological manifestations are epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders and mental retardation. It has been shown that in tuberous sclerosis complex the genes TSC1 and TSC2 alter the mTOR enzyme cascade, which sets off inhibition of this pathway. The possibility of resorting to treatments applied at the origin, thus inhibiting this pathway, is currently being evaluated.

Topics: Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Autistic Disorder; Brain Diseases; Brain Neoplasms; Drug Design; Epilepsy; Everolimus; Glioma, Subependymal; Hamartoma; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Learning Disabilities; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Everolimus (RAD001), a mTOR inhibitor, was initially used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplant patients; however, it also has significant antineoplastic properties. In patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex who are not candidates for surgery, single-agent everolimus has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce SEGA volume with good tolerability. In the Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, everolimus was associated with a SEGA response rate of 35% compared with 0% in the placebo group. The most common adverse events in clinical trials were stomatitis/mouth ulceration and upper respiratory tract infections, and most adverse events were grade 1 or 2; grade 4 events were rare.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Clinical Trials as Topic; Everolimus; Humans; Oral Ulcer; Sirolimus; Stomatitis; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a genetic multisystem disorder associated with hamartomas in several organs including subependymal giant cell tumors (SGCT). SGCT have the potential to grow and therefore to become symptomatic and are one of the main causes of death in TSC individuals. Surgical resection is the procedure of choice for SGCT. However, the discovery of mTOR pathway upregulation in TSC-associated tumors and recent evidence that mTOR inhibitors may induce regression of SGCT open up new treatment strategies. Based on a review of the currently available literature and on personal experience, current options for the management of TSC patients and appropriate indications, taking into account benefits and risks of surgery and pharmacotherapy, are discussed.. An earlier diagnosis of SGCT in neurologically asymptomatic children may allow a precocious surgical removal of the tumor, thus minimizing surgery-related morbidity and mortality. Biologically targeted pharmacotherapy with mTOR inhibitors such as sirolimus and everolimus provides a safe and efficacious treatment option for patients with SGCT and has the potential to change the clinical management of these tumors. However, whether pharmacotherapy is sufficient to control growth or if it only delays the need for surgical removal of symptomatic SGCT remains unclear. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal levels of mTOR inhibitors that preserve maximal anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Neurosurgical Procedures; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

Better understanding of aberrantly active molecular pathways in tumors offers potential to develop more specific and less toxic therapies. Abnormal mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex signaling and defects in TSC1 and TSC2 have been associated with the development of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients. Recently, mTOR inhibitors such as everolimus have shown encouraging benefit for patients with SEGAs.. The authors discuss a molecular genetic pathway linked with TSC, specifically the role of two proteins whose functional absence is responsible for most SEGA tumors that arise in TSC patients. The authors also examine the rationale for targeted agents against this pathway therapeutically and describe the clinical evidence underlying the FDA approval of everolimus for patients with inoperable SEGAs.. Everolimus (Afinitor) selectively targets a molecular defect of SEGAs in TSC patients. Although surgery is effective, most SEGAs recur. An agent that inhibits an underlying molecular abnormality represents a particularly attractive therapeutic option for patients with inoperable or recurrent tumors. Studies are also underway to assess everolimus in treating other sequelae of TSC, and other gliomas. Finally, additional research aimed at better understanding aberrant cell signaling pathways may lead to the development of more effective therapeutics.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Multiprotein Complexes; Proteins; Sirolimus; Tablets; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Angiomyolipoma; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Mutation; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and bombesin regulate many biological processes through binding to and activating their respective cell surface receptors. Recently, we reported that many astrocytic/glial-derived brain tumor cell lines express functional SP and bombesin receptors (43% and 85%, respectively). Activation of these neuropeptide receptors stimulates several signaling pathways that regulate transcription and translation leading to the induction of mitogenesis in several cell types including astrocytic brain tumor-derived cell lines. We have also shown that a number of signaling pathways are induced by SP and/or bombesin receptors in astrocytic/glial-derived brain tumor cell lines and demonstrated that inhibiting these path-ways by selective compounds such as PD 098059, tamoxifen, CGP 41251, and rapamycin blocks cell growth. In summary, mitogenic signaling by neuropeptides may play a role in brain tumor growth and/or tumor progression, and selective compounds capable of blocking mitogenic signaling have potential to be useful in the treatment of brain tumors.

Topics: Adult; Astrocytoma; Bombesin; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Division; Child; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mitogens; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; Substance P; Tamoxifen; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The aim of the study was to investigate factors affecting response to everolimus, a mammalian-target-of-rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGA) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).. The study group consisted of 15 children with a diagnosis of TSC-related SEGA. Median therapy duration was 13 months. Age, sex, previous neurosurgical or mTOR inhibitor treatment, everolimus blood concentration and anticonvulsant therapy were analyzed as potential factors affecting reduction of SEGA tumor volume.. Significant reductions in SEGA volumes were noted at 3 and 6 months (median tumor volume 0.97 cm(3) and 0.70 cm(3) , respectively, versus 2.70 cm(3) at baseline, P = 0.001). Responses were observed in 11/15 (73.3%) and 10/12 (83.3%) patients at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The most rapid reduction of SEGA volume (58.6%) was found during the initial 3 months of treatment. There was no statistical difference in the extent of SEGA volume reduction between patients with everolimus trough levels <5 ng/ml and ≥5 ng/ml. Patients treated with ≤1 anticonvulsant had greater tumor reduction after 6 months of treatment.. Everolimus is an effective and safe treatment option for TSC-related SEGA. Drug dose titration according to blood concentration did not appear to be crucial to achieve clinical efficacy; however, concomitant anticonvulsant therapy may affect response to mTOR inhibitors.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Sex Factors; Sirolimus; Time Factors; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of oral mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and intractable epilepsy or subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA).. Single-center series of 13 children and adolescents with TSC who received sirolimus or everolimus (mTOR inhibitors). The anticonvulsant response was evaluated in 7 patients with TSC and refractory seizures. Six patients with SEGAs were treated with either sirolimus or everolimus for nonsurgical management. SEGA volumes were assessed longitudinally using 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging.. Of the intractable seizure group (7 patients), 1 patient had >90% reduction, 4 had 50%-90% reduction, and 2 had <50% reduction. Three reported subjective improvements in learning. By 12 months of treatment, there were statistically significant reductions in the SEGA volumes in 4 patients who received mTOR inhibitors (P < .04). The mean SEGA volume after 6 months of treatment was 2.18 cm(3), which represents 33% reduction in the mean baseline volume of 3.26 cm(3). The mTOR inhibitors were well tolerated. Adverse effects include dyslipidaemia (3 of 13), gingivitis (1 of 13), anorexia (1 of 13), and mild gastrointestinal side effects (1 of 13).. This case series suggests that mTOR inhibitors can improve seizures in those with TSC and refractory epilepsy. They are also an effective treatment for reducing the volume of SEGAs in patients with TSC not amenable to surgery with an acceptable side effect profile.

Topics: Adolescent; Anticonvulsants; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Epilepsy; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized by benign tumours in multiple organs, including the brain, kidneys, skin, lungs and heart. Our objective was to evaluate everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, in the treatment of angiomyolipoma in patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with TSC.. EXamining everolimus In a Study of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-1 (NCT00789828), a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study, examined everolimus in treating SEGA associated with TSC. Patients with serial SEGA growth from pre-baseline to baseline scans were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive 4.5 mg/m(2)/day everolimus (target blood trough: 5-15 ng/mL; n = 78) or placebo (n = 39). Angiomyolipoma response rates were analysed in patients (n = 44) with target baseline angiomyolipoma lesions (≥1 angiomyolipoma; longest diameter ≥1.0 cm). An angiomyolipoma response rate, defined as the proportion of patients with confirmed angiomyolipoma response, was assessed by kidney CT or MRI screening at baseline, at 12, 24 and 48 weeks and annually.. Angiomyolipoma response rates were 53.3% (16/30) and 0% (0/14) for everolimus- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. Angiomyolipoma reductions ≥50% in the sum of volumes of all target lesions were seen only in everolimus-treated patients (56.5, 78.3 and 80.0%) compared with placebo-treated patients (0% at each time point) at Weeks 12, 24 and 48, respectively. Greater percentages of everolimus-treated patients had angiomyolipoma reductions ≥30% at these same time points (82.6, 100 and 100% versus 8.3, 18.2 and 16.7% for everolimus versus placebo, respectively).. Everolimus showed efficacy in reducing angiomyolipoma lesion volume in patients with SEGA associated with TSC.The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00789828; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00789828?term=EXIST-1&rank=1.

Topics: Adult; Angiomyolipoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Brain; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Prospective Studies; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Sirolimus; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGA) appear in 5-20% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and are the most common brain tumours in TSC. They are benign tumours, of a glioneural stock, that develop mainly in the first two decades of life, generally close to the foramen of Monro, and can trigger hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension. It is one of the leading causes of death in TSC. Recently mTOR inhibitors have proved to be a therapeutic alternative to surgical excision. AIM. To describe our experience of using everolimus to treat patients with SEGA and TSC.. We conducted a prospective study of the responses of patients with TSC and at least one SEGA undergoing growth.. Three females and three males with a mean age of 12.3 years received treatment. One patient had previously undergone surgery due to SEGA with hydrocephalus. The maximum mean diameter of the SEGA on beginning treatment was 15.3 mm (range: 11.3-24.8 mm). Treatment was established with everolimus, 2.5 mg/day administered orally in patients with a body surface area < 1.2 m2, and 5 mg/day in patients with a body surface area > 1.2 m2. Two patients presented hypertriglyceridemia; one, anorexia; another, a mouth ulcer; and one, amenorrhoea. The mean reduction in the volume of the SEGA at three months of treatment was 46%, and the reduction remained steady in later control examinations (6-25 months).. Treatment with everolimus reduces the size of SEGA associated with TSC with an adequate safety profile, and constitutes an alternative to surgery in certain cases.. Respuesta a everolimus en pacientes con astrocitoma de celulas gigantes asociado al complejo esclerosis tuberosa.. Introduccion. Los astrocitomas subependimarios de celulas gigantes (SEGA) se presentan en el 5-20% de los pacientes con complejo esclerosis tuberosa (CET) y son los tumores cerebrales mas comunes en el CET. Son tumores benignos, de estirpe glioneural, que se desarrollan fundamentalmente en las primeras dos decadas de la vida, en general cercanos al foramen de Monro, y pueden ocasionar hidrocefalia e hipertension intracraneal. Constituyen la principal causa de muerte en el CET. Recientemente, los inhibidores mTOR han demostrado ser una alternativa terapeutica a la reseccion quirurgica. Objetivo. Describir nuestra experiencia con everolimus para el tratamiento de pacientes con SEGA y CET. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio prospectivo de la respuesta de los pacientes con CET y al menos un SEGA en crecimiento. Resultados. Recibieron tratamiento tres mujeres y tres varones con una edad media de 12,3 años. Un paciente habia sido previamente intervenido quirurgicamente por SEGA con hidrocefalia. El diametro maximo medio del SEGA al inicio del tratamiento era de 15,3 mm (rango: 11,3-24,8 mm). Se inicio tratamiento con everolimus, 2,5 mg/dia por via oral en pacientes con superficie corporal < 1,2 m2 y 5 mg/dia en pacientes con superficie corporal > 1,2 m2. Dos pacientes presentaron hipertrigliceridemia; uno, anorexia; otro, un afta; y una paciente, amenorrea. La reduccion media del volumen del SEGA a los tres meses de tratamiento fue del 46%, y la reduccion se mantuvo estable en controles posteriores (6-25 meses). Conclusiones. El tratamiento con everolimus disminuye el tamaño de los SEGA asociados a CET con un perfil de seguridad adecuado, y constituye una alternativa a la cirugia en casos seleccionados.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Amenorrhea; Anorexia; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Everolimus; Female; Giant Cells; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia; Male; Neoplasm Proteins; Prospective Studies; Sirolimus; Stomatitis, Aphthous; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Burden; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

In the EXIST-1 trial, initiated on Aug 10, 2009, more than 35% of patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex had at least 50% reduction in SEGA volume after 9·6 months of treatment with everolimus. In this Article, we report interim data (up to Jan 11, 2013) to support longer-term tolerability and efficacy of everolimus from the continuing 4-year extension phase of EXIST-1.. We assessed data from a prospective, open-label extension of a multicentre, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex who had SEGA that was growing and needed treatment. In this extension study, we included all patients who had been assigned everolimus during the double-blind, randomised phase of the trial and those patients who crossed over from the placebo group to receive everolimus during the randomised phase or at the start of the extension phase. All patients received oral everolimus at a starting dose of 4·5 mg/m(2) per day. Everolimus dose was subsequently adjusted subject to tolerability to attain blood trough concentrations of 5-15 ng/mL. An independent central radiology review team assessed SEGA response (at least a 50% reduction from baseline in total volume of all target SEGAs; the primary endpoint) by MRI at 12, 24, and 48 weeks, then every year thereafter in all patients who received at least one dose of everolimus. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00789828.. Of the original 117 randomly assigned patients, 111 were given everolimus between Aug 20, 2009, and Jan 11, 2013 (date of data cutoff); we included these patients in our longer-term analysis. Median duration of everolimus exposure was 29·3 months (IQR 19·4-33·8). Median follow-up was 28·3 months (IQR 19·3-33·0). 54 (49%) patients had a response of 50% or greater reduction in SEGA volume (95% CI 39·0-58·3), and duration of response was between 2·1 and 31·1 months (median not reached). SEGA volume was reduced by 50% or more in 39 (37%) of 105 patients at 24 weeks, 48 (46%) of 104 patients at 48 weeks, 36 (47%) of 76 patients at 96 weeks, and 11 (38%) of 29 patients at 144 weeks. Stomatitis (48 [43%] patients) and mouth ulceration (33 [30%] patients) were the most frequent treatment-related adverse events; infections were the most commonly reported treatment-related serious adverse event, occurring in 15 (14%) patients. 35 (32%) patients reported treatment-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events, the most common of which were stomatitis (nine [8%]) and pneumonia (nine [8%]). 18 (16%) patients had treatment-related serious adverse events. Six (5%) patients withdrew because of adverse events.. These results support the longer-term use of everolimus in patients who have few treatment options and who need continued treatment for tuberous sclerosis complex and its varied manifestations. Reduction or stabilisation of tumour volume with everolimus will hopefully provide long-term clinical benefit in patients with SEGA.. Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Topics: Adult; Astrocytoma; Double-Blind Method; Everolimus; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Mutation; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Young Adult

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a genetic disorder leading to constitutive activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and growth of benign tumours in several organs. In the brain, growth of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas can cause life-threatening symptoms--eg, hydrocephalus, requiring surgery. In an open-label, phase 1/2 study, the mTOR inhibitor everolimus substantially and significantly reduced the volume of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. We assessed the efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytomas associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, patients (aged 0-65 years) in 24 centres in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, and the USA were randomly assigned, with an interactive internet-response system, in a 2:1 ratio to oral everolimus 4·5 mg/m(2) per day (titrated to achieve blood trough concentrations of 5-15 ng/mL) or placebo. Eligible patients had a definite diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex and at least one lesion with a diameter of 1 cm or greater, and either serial growth of a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, a new lesion of 1 cm or greater, or new or worsening hydrocephalus. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with confirmed response--ie, reduction in target volume of 50% or greater relative to baseline in subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00789828.. 117 patients were randomly assigned to everolimus (n=78) or placebo (n=39). 27 (35%) patients in the everolimus group had at least 50% reduction in the volume of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas versus none in the placebo group (difference 35%, 95% CI 15-52; one-sided exact Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, p<0·0001). Adverse events were mostly grade 1 or 2; no patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events. The most common adverse events were mouth ulceration (25 [32%] in the everolimus group vs two [5%] in the placebo group), stomatitis (24 [31%] vs eight [21%]), convulsion (18 [23%] vs ten [26%]), and pyrexia (17 [22%] vs six [15%]).. These results support the use of everolimus for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas associated with tuberous sclerosis. Additionally, everolimus might represent a disease-modifying treatment for other aspects of tuberous sclerosis.. Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Everolimus; Female; Fever; Humans; Infant; Male; Oral Ulcer; Seizures; Sirolimus; Stomatitis; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis; Young Adult

To report long-term efficacy and safety data for everolimus for the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).. This was an open-label extension phase of a prospective, phase 1-2 trial (NCT00411619) in patients ≥3 years of age with SEGA associated with TSC. Patients received oral everolimus starting at 3 mg/m2 per day and subsequently titrated, subject to tolerability, to attain whole blood trough concentrations of 5-15 ng/mL. Change in SEGA volume, seizures, and safety assessments were the main outcome measures.. Of 28 patients enrolled, 25 were still under treatment at the time of analysis. Median dose was 5.3 mg/m2/day and median treatment duration was 34.2 months (range 4.7-47.1). At all time points (18, 24, 30, and 36 months), primary SEGA volume was reduced by ≥30% from baseline (treatment response) in 65%-79% of patients. All patients reported ≥1 adverse event (AE), mostly grade 1/2 in severity, consistent with that previously reported, and none led to everolimus discontinuation. The most commonly reported drug-related AEs were upper respiratory infections (85.7%), stomatitis (85.7%), sinusitis (46.4%), and otitis media (35.7%). No drug-related grade 4 or 5 events occurred.. Everolimus therapy is safe and effective for longer term (median exposure 34.2 months) treatment of patients with TSC with SEGA.. This study provides Class III evidence that everolimus, titrated to trough serum levels of 5-15 ng/mL, was effective in reducing tumor size in patients with SEGA secondary to TSC for a median of 34 months.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Young Adult

Neurosurgical resection is the standard treatment for subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas in patients with the tuberous sclerosis complex. An alternative may be the use of everolimus, which inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin, a protein regulated by gene products involved in the tuberous sclerosis complex.. Patients 3 years of age or older with serial growth of subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas were eligible for this open-label study. The primary efficacy end point was the change in volume of subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas between baseline and 6 months. We gave everolimus orally, at a dose of 3.0 mg per square meter of body-surface area, to achieve a trough concentration of 5 to 15 ng per milliliter.. We enrolled 28 patients. Everolimus therapy was associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in volume of the primary subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma, as assessed on independent central review (P<0.001 for baseline vs. 6 months), with a reduction of at least 30% in 21 patients (75%) and at least 50% in 9 patients (32%). Marked reductions were seen within 3 months and were sustained. There were no new lesions, worsening hydrocephalus, evidence of increased intracranial pressure, or necessity for surgical resection or other therapy for subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma. Of the 16 patients for whom 24-hour video electroencephalography data were available, seizure frequency for the 6-month study period (vs. the previous 6-month period) decreased in 9, did not change in 6, and increased in 1 (median change, -1 seizure; P=0.02). The mean (±SD) score on the validated Quality-of-Life in Childhood Epilepsy questionnaire (on which scores can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life) was improved at 3 months (63.4±12.4) and 6 months (62.1±14.2) over the baseline score (57.8±14.0). Single cases of grade 3 treatment-related sinusitis, pneumonia, viral bronchitis, tooth infection, stomatitis, and leukopenia were reported.. Everolimus therapy was associated with marked reduction in the volume of subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas and seizure frequency and may be a potential alternative to neurosurgical resection in some cases, though long-term studies are needed. (Funded by Novartis; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00411619.).

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Angiofibroma; Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Drug Therapy, Combination; Everolimus; Facial Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Prospective Studies; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Quality of Life; Seizures; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Young Adult

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, two key regulators of the mechanistic target of the rapamycin complex pathway. Phenotypically, this leads to growth and formation of hamartomas in several organs, including the brain. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) are low-grade brain tumors commonly associated with TSC. Recently, gene expression studies provided evidence that the immune system, the MAPK pathway and extracellular matrix organization play an important role in SEGA development. However, the precise mechanisms behind the gene expression changes in SEGA are still largely unknown, providing a potential role for DNA methylation. We investigated the methylation profile of SEGAs using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (SEGAs n = 42, periventricular control n = 8). The SEGA methylation profile was enriched for the adaptive immune system, T cell activation, leukocyte mediated immunity, extracellular structure organization and the ERK1 & ERK2 cascade. More interestingly, we identified two subgroups in the SEGA methylation data and show that the differentially expressed genes between the two subgroups are related to the MAPK cascade and adaptive immune response. Overall, this study shows that the immune system, the MAPK pathway and extracellular matrix organization are also affected on DNA methylation level, suggesting that therapeutic intervention on DNA level could be useful for these specific pathways in SEGA. Moreover, we identified two subgroups in SEGA that seem to be driven by changes in the adaptive immune response and MAPK pathway and could potentially hold predictive information on target treatment response.

Topics: Astrocytoma; DNA Methylation; Humans; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in TSC1 (hamartin) or TSC2 (tuberin), crucial negative regulators of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. TSC affects multiple organs including the brain. The neurologic manifestation is characterized by cortical tubers, subependymal nodules (SEN), and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in brain. SEGAs may result in hydrocephalus in TSC patients and mTORC1 inhibitors are the current recommended therapy for SEGA. Nevertheless, a major limitation in the research for SEGA is the lack of cell lines or animal models for mechanistic investigations and development of novel therapy. In this study, we generated TSC1-deficient neural cells from spontaneously immortalized mouse astrocytes in an attempt to mimic human SEGA. The TSC1-deficient cells exhibit mTORC1 hyperactivation and characteristics of transition from astrocytes to neural stem/progenitor cell phenotypes. Rapamycin efficiently decreased mTORC1 activity of these TSC1-deficient cells in vitro. In vivo, TSC1-deficient cells could form SEGA-like tumors and Rapamycin treatment decreased tumor growth. Collectively, our study generates a novel SEGA-like cell line that is invaluable for studying mTORC1-driven molecular and pathological alterations in neurologic tissue. These SEGA-like cells also provide opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategy for TSC patients with SEGA.

Topics: Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytes; Astrocytoma; Cells, Cultured; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Mice; Mice, Nude; Primary Cell Culture; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Topics: Adult; Angiofibroma; Astrocytoma; Biological Availability; Brain Neoplasms; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Monitoring; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Medication Therapy Management; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Autophagy is a key cellular process that involves constituent degradation and recycling during cellular development and homeostasis. Autophagy also plays key roles in antimicrobial host defense and numerous pathogenic organisms have developed strategies to take advantage of and/or modulate cellular autophagy. Several pharmacologic compounds, such as BafilomycinA1, an autophagy inducer, and Rapamycin, an autophagy inhibitor, have been used to modulate autophagy, and their effects upon notable autophagy markers, such as LC3 protein lipidation and Sequestosome-1/p62 alterations are well defined. We sought to understand whether such autophagy modulators have a more global effect upon host cells and used a recently developed aptamer-based proteomic platform (SOMAscan

Topics: Astrocytes; Astrocytoma; Autophagy; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Cytokines; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Macrolides; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Proteome; Sequestosome-1 Protein; Sirolimus

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) represents a genetic condition, in which the clinical manifestations are caused by the disinhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway due to mutations in the TSC1 (hamartin) or TSC2 (tuberin) genes. The deregulated mTOR activity leads to multi-site tumors, including subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA). SEGA is a brain tumor that affects around 15% of TSC patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate miR-21 expression in the serum of two groups of TSC patients: with or without SEGA tumors. We found no differences in the level of miR-21 depending on the presence of SEGA. Next, we studied the influence of prolonged rapamycin administration on miR-21 level in the blood serum of TSC patients (6-12 months of rapamycin) and in primary cultures of SEGA-derived cells treated with rapamycin

Topics: Adolescent; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Child; Female; Humans; Male; MicroRNAs; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Up-Regulation; Young Adult

Direct surgical resection remains the standard treatment for patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with a large subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA). Rapamycin or everolimus is seldom used in these patients because of the risk of increased intracranial pressure and possibility of sudden death.. Three patients with TSC and a large intracranial SEGA received oral rapamycin (0.5 mg/day) or everolimus (2.5 mg/day) before surgery for tumor resection. After mTOR inhibitor therapy, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging revealed tumor reduction. Tumor bleeding was easy to control during surgery, and the border between tumor and surrounding brain tissue was clearly differentiated. Analysis of postsurgical tumor specimens showed low blood density and focal necrosis.. Preoperative mTOR inhibitors could be a potentially novel treatment modality in large TSC-SEGA with hydrocephalus. In this series, mTOR inhibitors were not only safe and well tolerated, but also beneficial for tumor resection.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Male; Preoperative Care; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Subependymal giant cell tumor (SGCT) is a benign intraventricular tumor, usually located near the foramen of Monro. It is almost always associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). SGCTs may obstruct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways. Rarely, they may secrete a protein-rich exudate, causing communicating hydrocephalus. Surgery is indicated for symptomatic lesions or growing asymptomatic lesions. The operative approach to SGCT has shifted from simple shunt placement to a more aggressive approach, leading to early attempts at gross total resection. Recently, the mTOR inhibitor everolimus has been approved for treating SGCT. In this article, we present two cases of recurrent shunt malfunctions in adult TSC patients with protein-secreting SGCTs. We describe the complexity of treating such patients with an emphasis on the role mTOR inhibitors may have in their management. We also review the literature on surgical management of SGCT-related hydrocephalus.

Topics: Adult; Astrocytoma; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis; Young Adult

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a heritable multisystem disorder associated with genes involved in the formation of a tumor-suppressor complex acting through the Ras homologue enriched in brain protein to limit activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex I. Mutations in these genes result in enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and may cause neurological manifestations including brain tubers, subependymal nodules, and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. These astrocytomas are tumors that arise near the foramen of Monro and may lead to obstructive hydrocephalus. Standard therapy has been surgical resection. More recently, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, everolimus, has been approved for treatment after demonstration of efficacy in prospective clinical trials.. We report a 15 year-old girl with tuberous sclerosis complex who proceeded to surgical resection of her subependymal giant cell astrocytoma after 3 months of treatment with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. We compared her subependymal giant cell astrocytoma tissue specimen with 12 untreated subependymal giant cell astrocytomas accessed from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.. This girl's histopathological findings were consistent with subependymal giant cell astrocytomas with no exposure to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. There were no major differences identified on immunohistochemistry at targets downstream of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 or in neighboring signaling pathways. The majority of cells were reactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein, mitogen-activated protein kinase, phospho-S6, caspase 3 (95% positivity), and NP-1.. In this one individual, rapamycin therapy did not change the histopathological characteristics of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition involves complex signaling pathways inducing subependymal giant cell astrocytoma shrinkage. However, its effect is not easily characterized within tumor tissue.

Topics: Adolescent; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mutation; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Brain subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) in patients with tuberous sclerosis have been reported to respond to everolimus.. A 15-year-old male patient with intractable seizures and multiple SEGAs of the brain developed leptomeningeal enhancement and multiple metastatic, histologically confirmed SEGAs of the spinal cord. He received daily everolimus at a dose of 3 mg/m for 6 weeks, which was then increased to 6 mg/m.. Magnetic resonance image of the brain and spine showed significant reduction in the size of SEGAs after 6 weeks of treatment. The patient has remained free of progression for 24 months. Additional benefits included: excellent seizure control, decrease in the size of cardiac rhabdomyomas, and improved quality of life.. We describe a rare case of metastatic SEGA, which was successfully treated with everolimus.

Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

We are reporting on a 13.5-year-old girl with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who was treated with everolimus because of giant cell astrocytoma and bilateral angiomyolipoma. She suffered from pharmacoresistant partial epilepsy with clusters of tonic and tonic-clonic seizures. Treatment with carbamazepine and sulthiame had led to a stable situation for more than 2.5 years. The dosage of everolimus had to be increased and refractory status epilepticus followed after 12 days. In the absence of any other possible cause, we believe that the status epilepticus was provoked by everolimus. So far, only a few cases of possible seizure aggravation by everolimus have been reported. The clinical relevance of possible negative effects in epileptic patients remains unclear. Similar observations should be documented and reported.

Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Epilepsies, Partial; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Seizures; Sirolimus; Status Epilepticus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is frequently accompanied by difficult-to-treat epilepsy, which conditions these patients' quality of life and cognitive level. AIM. To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, as well as the treatment of patients affected by TSC with epilepsy.. A retrospective review was carried out of the medical records of 30 patients aged under 18 registered in our database, who had been diagnosed with TSC and epilepsy.. The age at onset of epilepsy in the patients with TSC in our series ranged from one month to four years. All of them began with partial crises. Two presented West's syndrome and four others had infantile spasms without hypsarrhythmia. In 19 of the patients, the epilepsy was medication resistant. As regards treatment with antiepileptic drugs, 11 are in monotherapy, 10 in bitherapy, seven in tritherapy and one with four drugs. Two were given ACTH, two carry an implanted vagal nerve stimulator, four receive treatment with everolimus and eight have undergone surgery.. Epilepsy is a very common problem and begins in the early years of life in TSC. There are currently a large number of therapeutic options available, although 63.3% of patients have non-controlled epilepsy and most of them present crises on a daily basis. Poor control of their crises is correlated with mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder. The positive response obtained with other therapeutic possibilities, such as mTOR pathway inhibitors, surgery and vagal nerve stimulator, should be noted.. Posibilidades terapeuticas en la epilepsia refractaria en el complejo esclerosis tuberosa.. Introduccion. El complejo esclerosis tuberosa (CET) cursa frecuentemente con epilepsia de dificil control, lo que condiciona la calidad de vida y el nivel cognitivo de estos pacientes. Objetivo. Describir las caracteristicas epidemiologicas, clinicas y el tratamiento de los pacientes afectos de CET con epilepsia. Pacientes y metodos. Se han revisado retrospectivamente las historias clinicas de 30 pacientes menores de 18 años, diagnosticados de CET y epilepsia registrados en nuestra base de datos. Resultados. La edad de inicio de la epilepsia en los pacientes con CET en nuestra serie esta comprendida entre el primer mes de vida y los 4 años. Todos comenzaron con crisis parciales. Dos presentaron sindrome de West y cuatro, espasmos infantiles sin hipsarritmia. En 19 de los pacientes, la epilepsia se comporto como farmacorresistente. Respecto al tratamiento con farmacos antiepilepticos, 11 estan en monoterapia, 10 en biterapia, siete en triterapia y uno con cuatro farmacos. Dos recibieron ACTH, dos tienen implantado un estimulador del nervio vago, cuatro reciben tratamiento con everolimus y ocho han sido sometidos a cirugia. Conclusiones. La epilepsia es un problema muy frecuente y de inicio en los primeros años de vida en el CET. Las opciones terapeuticas actuales son muchas, sin embargo el 63,3% de los pacientes tiene una epilepsia no controlada y la mayoria de ellos presenta crisis diarias. El mal control de las crisis se correlaciona con retraso mental y trastorno del espectro autista. Señalar la respuesta positiva obtenida con otras posibilidades terapeuticas: inhibidores de la via mTOR, cirugia y el estimulador del nervio vago.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Age of Onset; Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Resistance; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epilepsies, Partial; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intellectual Disability; Male; Retrospective Studies; Sirolimus; Spasms, Infantile; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis; Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a brain tumor associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). It usually grows in a second decade of life, but may develop in the first months of life. The aim of this work was to establish the incidence, clinical features, and outcome of congenital SEGA in TSC patients.. Cohort of 452 TSC patients was reviewed to identify cases with growing or hydrocephalus producing SEGAs in the first 3 months of life. Clinical presentation, size of the tumor, growth rate, mutational analysis, treatment applied, and outcome were analyzed.. Ten (2.2 %) patients presented with SEGA in the first 3 months of life. All of them had documented SEGA growth and all developed hydrocephalus. In eight patients, mutational analysis was done, and in all of them, TSC2 gene mutations were identified. Mean maximum SEGA diameter at baseline was 21.8 mm. Mean SEGA growth rate observed postnatally was 2.78 mm per month and tended to be higher (5.43 mm per month) in patients with TSC2/PKD1 mutation than in other cases. Seven patients underwent SEGA surgery and surgery-related complications were observed in 57.1 % cases. One patient was successfully treated with everolimus as a primary treatment.. Congenital SEGA develops 2.2 % of TSC patients. Patients with TSC2 mutations, and especially with TSC2/PKD1 mutations, are more prone to develop SEGA earlier in childhood and should be screened for SEGA from birth. In young infants with SEGA, both surgery and mTOR inhibitor should be considered as a treatment option.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Craniotomy; DNA Mutational Analysis; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Mass Screening; Neurologic Examination; Poland; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Sirolimus; TRPP Cation Channels; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Topics: Astrocytoma; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Everolimus; Humans; Sirolimus

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder characterized by increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation and growth of benign tumors in several organs throughout the body. In young children with TSC, drug-resistant epilepsy and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) present the most common causes of mortality and morbidity. There are also some reports on the antiepileptic and antiepileptogenic potential of mTOR inhibitors in TSC. However, the data on everolimus efficacy and safety in young children are very limited.. To show the long-term safety data and the effect of everolimus treatment on epilepsy in children under the age of 3 who received everolimus for SEGAs associated with TSC.. We present the results of everolimus treatment in 8 children under the age of 3 who participated in EXIST-1 study. Five patients presented with active, drug-resistant epilepsy at baseline. The mean follow-up is 35 months (33-38 months) and all children are still on treatment.. In 6 out of 8 children, at least a 50% reduction in SEGA volume was observed. In 1 child with drug-resistant epilepsy, everolimus treatment resulted in cessation of seizures and in 2 other children, at least a 50% reduction in the number of seizures was noted. The incidence of adverse events (AE) was similar to that observed in older children and adults.. This study suggests that everolimus is effective and safe in infants and young children with epilepsy and SEGA associated with TSC and offers a valuable treatment option.

Topics: Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Child, Preschool; Epilepsy; Everolimus; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Time; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Astrocytoma; Female; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Astrocytoma; Female; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with hamartomatous growths including subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). Although, SEGAs are slow-growing glioneuronal tumors, they represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality due to the risk of sudden death from acute hydrocephalus. Neurosurgical resection has been the mainstay of therapy, since radiotherapy and chemotherapy were proved inefficient in those tumors. Recent studies support the use of everolimus for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas associated with tuberous sclerosis and suggest it might represent a disease-modifying treatment for other aspects of tuberous sclerosis.. We describe the clinical and radiological progression of three pediatric patients with definitive diagnosis of TSC and SEGA, which have been treated with everolimus.. Up to 34 % sustained SEGA decrease was observed in the three cases. All three patients have experienced seizure control and two of them have showed cognitive and behavioral improvement. Everolimus has been well tolerated by all. No severe adverse events have been observed to date.. Everolimus offers significant promise in treating SEGAs. Studies are required to explore optimal therapy duration and management upon discontinuing therapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child, Preschool; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant disorder predisposing to the development of benign lesions in different body organs, mainly in the brain, kidney, liver, skin, heart, and lung. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas are characteristic brain tumors that occur in 10% to 20% of tuberous sclerosis complex patients and are almost exclusively related to tuberous sclerosis complex. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas usually grow slowly, but their progression ultimately leads to the occlusion of the foramen of Monro, with subsequent increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus, thus necessitating intervention. During recent years, secondary to improved understanding in the biological and genetic basis of tuberous sclerosis complex, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, becoming an alternative therapeutic option to surgery.. In June 2012, an International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Conference was convened, during which an expert panel revised the diagnostic criteria and considered treatment options for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. This article summarizes the subpanel's recommendations regarding subependymal giant cell astrocytomas.. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have been shown to be an effective treatment of various aspects of tuberous sclerosis complex, including subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Both mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and surgery have a role in the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Various subependymal giant cell astrocytoma-related conditions favor a certain treatment.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Congresses as Topic; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis; Young Adult

An essential mode of acquired resistance to radiotherapy (RT) appears to be promotion of tumor cell motility and invasiveness in various cancer types, including glioblastoma, a process resembling 'evasive resistance'. Hence, a logical advancement of RT would be to identify suitable complementary treatment strategies, ideally targeting cell motility. Here we report that the combination of focal RT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition using clinically relevant concentrations of temsirolimus (CCI-779) prolongs survival in a syngeneic mouse glioma model through additive cytostatic effects. In vitro, the mTOR inhibitor CCI-779 exerted marked anti-invasive effects, irrespective of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 status and counteracted the proinvasive effect of sublethal irradiation. Mechanistically, we identified regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) as a novel target of mTOR inhibition and a key driver of glioblastoma invasiveness, sensitive to the anti-invasive properties of CCI-779. Notably, suppression of RGS4-dependent glioma cell invasion was signaled through both mTOR complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that high doses of CCI-779 may overcome tumor-cell resistance associated with the sole inhibition of mTORC1. We conclude that combined RT and mTOR inhibition is a promising therapeutic option that warrants further clinical investigation in upfront glioblastoma therapy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Astrocytoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Female; Glioblastoma; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; RGS Proteins; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Topics: Astrocytoma; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

We present successful everolimus treatment of a huge subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in a 10-year old boy with tuberous sclerosis complex. The patient underwent several partial tumor resections complicated by intraoperative cardiac arrest. The tumor has been regrowing and produced severe clinical symptoms. Everolimus treatment resulted in marked tumor regression, significant improvement in patient's ambulation and cessation of seizures. Moreover, the therapy was well tolerated. These findings indicate that everolimus treatment should be considered as a therapeutic option alternative to surgery in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Child; Epilepsy; Everolimus; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

An ImageJ JavaScript, AUTOCOUNTER, was specifically developed to monitor and measure LC3B-GFP expression in living human astrocytoma cells, namely T98G and U373-MG. Discrete intracellular GFP fluorescent spots derived from transduction of a Baculovirus replication-defective vector (BacMam LC3B-GFP), followed by microscope examinations at different times. After viral transgene expression, autophagy was induced by Rapamycin administration and assayed in ph-p70S6K/p70S6K and LC3B immunoblotting expression as well as by electron microscopy examinations. A mutated transgene, defective in LC3B lipidation, was employed as a negative control to further exclude fluorescent dots derived from protein intracellular aggregation. The ImageJ JavaScript was then employed to evaluate and score the dynamics changes of the number and area of LC3B-GFP puncta per cell in time course assays and in complex microscope examinations. In conclusion, AUTOCOUNTER enabled to quantify LC3B-GFP expression and to monitor dynamics changes in number and shapes of autophagosomal-like vesicles: it might therefore represent a suitable algorithmic tool for in vitro autophagy modulation studies.

Topics: Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Automation; Autophagy; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Computers; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Sirolimus; Software

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes and characterized by slow-growing tumors in multiple organs. Of the affected individuals, 10% display subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), which can lead to substantial neurological morbidity. The TSC1/TSC2 protein complex is a negative regulator of the mTOR pathway. Hence, mutations in these genes in preclinical models are associated with increased mTOR pathway activation and heightened sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. We hereby report our experience with RAD001 (Everolimus) therapy, a novel mTOR inhibitor, in inducing a dramatic regression of SEGAs.. A patient with TSC and SEGAs was treated with 10 mg/day oral RAD001. MRIs and neuro-ophthalmological exams were performed before and at regular intervals following the initiation of therapy.. The lesions exhibited significant regression in several tumor locations and stabilization in others, accompanied with an improvement of his visual status. Treatment was well tolerated for 11 months but was than discontinued due to hypertension and elevated CPK, without evidence for rhabdomyolysis. Yet, during 9 months following the interruption of therapy, SEGAs remained unchanged.. Oral RAD001 demonstrated preliminary encouraging results as treatment of astrocytomas associated with TSC. These preliminary results were recently supported by the Novartis announcement of the phase II study of RAD001 for SEGAs, which was not published yet. According to their statement, 75% of the patients showed reduction of SEGAs' volume following treatment with RAD001. Based on these results, RAD001 may be an alternative to surgery in selected patients with TSC and SEGAs.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents; Astrocytoma; Everolimus; Humans; Male; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Topics: Amino Acid Transport System y+L; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Opportunistic Infections; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Rapamycin inhibits the mTOR (target of rapamycin) pathway and extends lifespan in multiple species. The tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) protein is a negative regulator of mTOR. In humans, loss of the TSC protein results in a disorder characterized clinically by the growth of benign tumors in multiple organs, due to overactivation of mTOR inhibition. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) are benign brain tumors associated with TSC that have traditionally been treated by surgery, but for which mTOR inhibitors have recently been suggested as potential alternative treatments. The duration of mTOR treatment for SEGAs might have to be prolonged, probably lifelong, because SEGAs usually grow back after treatment is stopped. This cohort of patients who will experience prolonged exposure to mTOR inhibitors should be carefully followed longitudinally to better document long term side effects, but also to compare their longevity with the one of similar patients with TSC. These patients represent a unique opportunity to study the potential anti-aging properties of mTOR inhibitors in humans.

Topics: Aging; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Everolimus; Humans; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder that can affect every organ of the body, most commonly the brain, kidneys, heart, and lungs. The TSC mutation results in abnormal cellular proliferation and differentiation, which are responsible for hamartomatous lesions that affect the brain, kidney, heart, and lungs. mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is a protein kinase that regulates the abnormal cellular proliferation and differentiation. Consequently, mTOR inhibitors are being studied to treat the subependymal giant-cell astrocytomas and renal angiomyolipomas that are commonly seen with TSC. We describe here the case of a patient with significant regression of a cardiac rhabdomyoma after receiving everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor. This finding suggests a possible novel therapy for patients with clinically significant cardiac rhabdomyomas.

Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Astrocytoma; Child; Echocardiography, Doppler; Everolimus; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Rhabdomyoma; Sirolimus; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis; Tumor Burden

A 12-year-old girl with clinically established tuberous sclerosis complex, and without signs of neurofibromatosis type 1, developed a right retro-ocular optic nerve tumor. After rapid growth for 1 year after its discovery, the optic nerve tumor demonstrated modest progression. The patient received the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, sirolimus, for recurrent subependymal giant cell brain tumors. Although her left ventricular subependymal giant cell tumor demonstrated a 49% reduction in volume, the optic nerve tumor did not respond, and even underwent slight (6%) growth during the 16-month treatment. The quality of this child's vision has remained normal in both eyes, and she is otherwise asymptomatic with regard to the optic nerve tumor.

Topics: Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Optic Nerve Neoplasms; Sirolimus; Treatment Outcome; Tuberous Sclerosis

A number of important studies were presented at the CNS tumors section of the 2010 American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. There was particular interest in a Phase II study showing that the mTOR inhibitor everolimus had significant activity in tuberous patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Two Phase III studies reported on the relative benefits of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in elderly patients with glioblastomas. Other studies focused on promising new agents such as XL184 and ANG1005.

Topics: Aged; Astrocytoma; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Clinical Trials as Topic; Everolimus; Glioblastoma; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with the potential development of benign hamartomas, including subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). Intracranial hypertension can be caused by SEGAs due to their propensity to block the foramen of Monro. The traditional management approach is to monitor SEGAs with periodic neuroimaging and to resect those that exhibit serial growth and/or cause clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. Recent observations suggest that rapamycin therapy may induce partial regression of SEGAs, therefore providing a potential alternative to resection. The authors present the case of an 8-year-old girl with bilateral SEGAs that led to progressive hydrocephaly and incipient signs of papilledema. Three months after initiating rapamycin therapy, the SEGAs exhibited significant reduction in size (82.6% on the left and 46.7% on the right), and the lesions remained stable 5 months later. Compared with previous case reports, similar or even greater antitumor efficacy was achieved with much lower trough levels of rapamycin (10–15 compared with 3.3–4.5 ng/ml, respectively). The authors discuss various aspects of rapamycin therapy and address unresolved issues that highlight the need for further prospective clinical trials.

Topics: Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurosurgical Procedures; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder characterized by the formation of hamartomas in multiple organs. Five to 15% of affected individuals display subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, which can lead to substantial neurological and postoperative morbidity due to the production of hydrocephalus, mass effect, and their typical location adjacent to the foramen of Monro. We sought to see whether therapy with oral rapamycin could affect growth or induce regression in astrocytomas associated with TSC.. Five subjects with clinically definite TSC and either subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (n = 4) or a pilocytic astrocytoma (n = 1) were treated with oral rapamycin at standard immunosuppressive doses (serum levels 5-15 ng/ml) from 2.5 to 20 months. All lesions demonstrated growth on serial neuroimaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed before and at regular intervals following initiation of therapy.. All lesions exhibited regression and, in one case, necrosis. Interruption of therapy resulted in regrowth of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in one patient. Resumption of therapy resulted in further regression. Treatment was well tolerated.. Oral rapamycin therapy can induce regression of astrocytomas associated with TSC and may offer an alternative to operative therapy of these lesions.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Models, Biological; Regression, Psychology; Sirolimus; Tuberous Sclerosis

In 1321N1 astrocytoma cells, carbachol stimulation of M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors, coupled to phospholipase C, evoked a persistent 10-20-fold activation of p70 S6 kinase (S6K1). This response was abolished by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+ and reproduced by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, but was not prevented by down-regulation or inhibition of protein kinase C. Carbachol-stimulated activation and phosphorylation of S6K1 at Thr389 were prevented by rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), or by wortmannin, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Carbachol also stimulated the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), a second mTOR-dependent event, with similar potency to its effect on S6K1. This response was blocked by rapamycin, but was not markedly affected by 100 nM wortmannin, implying separate roles for mTOR and PI3K in S6K1 activation. Wortmannin abolished the carbachol-stimulated rise in PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and greatly reduced unstimulated levels of this lipid. By contrast, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor kinase, AG1478, which prevents carbachol-stimulated ErbB3 transactivation, PI3K recruitment and protein kinase B activation in 1321N1 cells, reduced activation of S6K1 by no more than 30%. This effect was overcome by 10 nM insulin, which on its own did not stimulate S6K1, but increased cellular PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 concentrations comparably with carbachol alone. These observations distinguish obligatory roles for mTOR and PI3K in regulating S6K1, but imply that minimal PI3K activity is sufficient to permit stimulation of S6K1 by other activating factors such as increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations, which are essential to the muscarinic receptor-mediated response. Moreover, 4E-BP1 and hence, presumably, mTOR can be regulated independently of PI3K activation through these mechanisms.

Topics: Androstadienes; Astrocytoma; Calcium Signaling; Carbachol; Chelating Agents; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Kinetics; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphatidylinositols; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Receptors, Muscarinic; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa; Sirolimus; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Wortmannin

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Dexamethasone; Diagnosis, Differential; Frontal Lobe; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Phenytoin; Piloerection; Seizures; Sirolimus; Taste Disorders; Temporal Lobe