This study aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of sirolimus on seizures in pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis. Methods: We first compared the efficacy of controlling seizures in all patients after they had taken sirolimus for one year, and then we performed a subgroup analysis based on whether the administered antiepileptic drugs were changed to determine whether the efficacy was associated with changes of antiepileptic drugs. Results: A total of 91 eligible children were enrolled. The response rate was 78.0 % (71/91), and 47.2 % (43/91) of all patients were became seizure-free. The improvement in seizure control before and after treatment with sirolimus was significant (p < 0.001). In the AEDs unaltered group, 34 were responders (34/45, 75.6 %, 95 % CI 17.4-88.3), of which 24 were seizure-free (24/34, 70.6 %). In the AEDs-altered group, 37 were responders (37/46, 80.4 %, 95 % CI 56.7-88.1), of which 19 were seizure-free (19/37, 51.4 %). There was no significant difference between the two groups for reductions in rate of seizure frequency (p = 0.308). In the patients with refractory epilepsy, treatment with sirolimus was also effective (p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that age was an important factor affecting outcome of epilepsy (p = 0.003, 95 % CI 2.05-38.31). No Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were noted during the follow-up. Conclusions: Sirolimus has a significant effect on seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), with no or only moderate adverse events after long-term administration. Sirolimus could be used as the first-line medication for pediatric patients with TSC-associated epilepsy.
Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in the treatment of cardiac rhabdomyomas associated with tuberous sclerosis complex and the specific benefits in different subgroups.
Study designThe study was a prospective cohort and self-controlled case series study. Based on the prevalence of cardiac rhabdomyoma at different ages, we estimated the natural tumor disappearance rate. The subgroup analysis was done by Cox regression. Self-controlled case series method was used to assess the magnitude and duration of the drug effect. Adverse events were described.Results A total of 217 patients were included in the cohort study. Tumor disappearance rate was higher in younger age groups (hazard ratio = 0.99, P = .027) and female patients (hazard ratio = 2.08, P = .015). The age-adjusted incidence ratio showed that the disappearance of rhabdomyomas between 3 and 6 months was more related to sirolimus. Adverse events were observed 60 times in 42 of 217 children, mainly stomatitis.Conclusions Sirolimus can increase the disappearance rate of cardiac rhabdomyoma in the tuberous sclerosis complex population. Efficacy varies by sex and age: female and younger patients have higher tumor disappearance rate. Sirolimus is well-tolerated.
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