Efficacy and safety of oral sirolimus for high-flow vascular malformations in real clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations are a complex pathology with few treatment options. In previously published studies, oral sirolimus (rapamycin) has shown promising results in the treatment of low-flow vascular malformations, but its usefulness in high-flow vascular malformations is controversial. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus for the treatment of high-flow vascular malformations in real-life practice. METHODS: In a unit specializing in vascular anomalies, patients treated with oral sirolimus for high-flow vascular malformations were located by consulting the drug dispensations. Reviewing the electronic medical records, data on patient demographics, vascular malformation characteristics, treatments, toxicity and clinical course were collected and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Nine patients with vascular malformations were included: eight had arteriovenous malformation and one had arteriovenous fistula. Six of these malformations were isolated while three were part of a syndrome. Sirolimus was initiated at a dosage of 1-4 mg/day to be taken as a single dose. Partial response was observed in eight of the nine patients (88.9%) with high-flow vascular malformation, while worsening was observed in the remaining patient. The treatment was well tolerated and at the most recent follow-up, five patients remained on treatment with oral sirolimus. CONCLUSION: Our results show that oral sirolimus is a well-tolerated therapeutic option, with an excellent safety profile, which can be useful in the long-term stabilization of patients with high-flow vascular malformations. Single-daily dosage may improve long-term adherence to treatment without worsening its effectiveness.

Descripción basal de la cohorte nacional prospectiva de hemangiomas infantiles de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología. Comparación de los pacientes tratados con propranolol en la práctica clínica rutinaria y los datos del ensayo clínico pivotal previo / Baseline Description of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology Infantile Haemangioma Nationwide Prospective Cohort. Comparison of Patients Treated with Propranolol in Routine Clinical Practice with Previous Pivotal Clinical Trial Data

Introducción Existen diversas opciones terapéuticas para los hemangiomas infantiles (HI). El propranolol se utiliza con base en un ensayo pivotal. Nuestro objetivo fue describir las características del HI en la práctica clínica, incluyendo las terapias utilizadas, así como comparar las características de los pacientes tratados con propranolol y las de los pacientes del ensayo, para valorar su validez externa. Métodos Se incluyó consecutivamente a los pacientes que acudieron a doce hospitales españoles desde junio de 2016 a octubre de 2019 (n=601). Resultados La edad media fue de 3,9 (DE:1,9) meses, con una ratio mujer-varón de 2:1. La mayoría de los HI fueron de tipo localizado (82%, 495), superficial (64%, 383) y ubicados en cara (25%, 157) y tronco (31%, 188). El tamaño mediano fue de 17 (RI: 10-30) x 12 (RI: 7-20) mm. Se encontraron complicaciones en 16 (3%) pacientes. Se inició tratamiento en el 52% (311) de los casos. La mayoría de los pacientes recibió timolol (76%, 237), reservándose propranolol para las complicaciones o los HI de alto riesgo. El compromiso estético fue el principal motivo de iniciar la terapia (64%, 199). Las diversas características de los pacientes y de los HI tratados con propranolol fueron similares a las del ensayo clínico pivotal, aunque 1/3 de los HI no alcanzó el diámetro mínimo para cumplir los criterios de inclusión, y no se comunicó información pronóstica importante. Conclusiones Dado que muchos pacientes reciben tratamiento debido al compromiso estético, existe una necesidad de conocer mejor los resultados estéticos de las terapias e incrementar la evidencia sobre el uso de timolol, que actualmente es la terapia más común. El propranolol está siendo utilizado en una población generalmente similar a la del ensayo; sin embargo, esta afirmación no puede confirmarse de manera definitiva (AU)

Background There are several therapeutic options for infantile haemangiomas (IH). Propranolol is used according to a pivotal trial. We aimed to describe the characteristics of IH in clinical practice, including the therapies used, and to compare the characteristics of patients treated with propranolol with those of the trial to assess its external validity. Methods Consecutive patients attending 12 Spanish hospitals from June 2016 to October 2019 were included (n=601). Results The mean age was 3.9 (SD:1.9) months, with a 2:1 female-to-male ratio. Most IHs were localized (82%, 495), superficial (64%, 383) and located in the face (25%, 157) and trunk (31%, 188). Median size was 17 (IR: 10-30) x 12 (IR: 7-20) mm. Complications were found in 16 (3%) patients. Treatment was initiated for 52% (311). Most patients received timolol (76%, 237); propranolol was reserved for complications or high-risk IHs. Aesthetic impairment was the main reason for starting therapy (64%, 199). Several characteristics of the patients and IHs treated with propranolol are similar to those of the pivotal clinical trial, but 1/3 of IHs did not reach the minimum diameter to meet the inclusion criteria, and important prognostic information was not reported. Conclusions As most patients receive treatment for aesthetic impairment, there is a need to better understand the aesthetic results of therapies and to increase evidence on the use of timolol, which is currently the most common therapy. Propranolol is being used in a population generally similar to that of the trial; however, this statement cannot be definitely confirmed (AU)