Safety and Efficacy of Combined Resveratrol and Sirolimus in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Abstract

Background: A critical need exists to develop remission-inducing therapies for lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Research question: Is the addition of resveratrol safe and more efficacious than sirolimus alone in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis?

Study design and methods: We conducted a phase 2, dose-escalating, open-label trial of resveratrol in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis receiving a stable regimen of sirolimus. Resveratrol was started at 250 mg/d and escalated every 8 weeks to maximum dose of 1,000 mg/d over 24 weeks. The primary outcome was ≥ 42% decline in serum vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) levels on combined therapy compared with baseline VEGF-D levels on sirolimus. Secondary objectives included an assessment of the safety profile and the effect on lung function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Longitudinal change in outcome measures was assessed using linear mixed models. Adverse effects were tabulated using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.

Results: Twenty-five patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis with a median age of 51 years were enrolled. Pulmonary function parameters at study inclusion were: FEV₁: median absolute, 1.72 L; 64% predicted; FVC: median absolute, 2.99 L; 96% predicted; and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide: median absolute, 14.68 mL/mm Hg/min; 37% predicted. The median serum VEGF-D value at baseline was 617 pg/mL. Patients entered the study with a median sirolimus dose of 2 mg/d with median trough level of 6.3 ng/mL. Despite some GI side effects, the addition of resveratrol was well tolerated. Although the primary outcome was not met, a statistically significant reduction in serum VEGF-D levels and improvement in HRQOL during the study was found.

Interpretation: The addition of resveratrol was safe and well tolerated in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis taking sirolimus and was associated with modest improvement in HRQOL. Larger controlled trials of this combination might be warranted to assess definitively the usefulness of resveratrol as an additive therapy in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03253913; URL: www.

Clinicaltrials: gov.

Keywords: FEV(1); LAM; autophagy; tuberous sclerosis complex; vascular endothelial growth factor D.