Immunologic Effects of Sirolimus in Patients With Vascular Anomalies

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2020 Jul;42(5):e355-e360. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001650.

Abstract

Emerging data have suggested that sirolimus may be a treatment option for complicated vascular anomalies (VAs). The present study aimed to investigate the immunologic effects of sirolimus treatment for 6 months in patients with VAs. Blood samples obtained from the patients enrolled in 2 multicenter studies to investigate the efficacy of sirolimus for VAs before and after sirolimus treatment for 6 months were used. Data for total white blood cell count, absolute lymphocyte count, serum immunoglobulins (Igs) levels (IgG, IgA, IgM), lymphocyte proliferation assays with mitogens including phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A, and flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subsets were evaluated. A total of 18 patients with VAs receiving sirolimus treatment were included in the study. Comparisons of white blood cell, absolute lymphocyte count, IgG, IgA, IgM, and reaction rates of phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A revealed no significant differences before and after treatment. No significant differences were observed in the absolute counts of lymphocyte subtypes before and after treatment, except for regulatory T-cell counts, which were significantly decreased after treatment. Severe infections were not observed during sirolimus treatment. The immunologic parameters assessed in the present study were hardly affected by sirolimus treatment for 6 months in patients with VAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Infant
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Vascular Malformations / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Malformations / immunology
  • Vascular Malformations / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus