A topical combination of rapamycin and tacrolimus for the treatment of angiofibroma due to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC): a pilot study of nine Japanese patients with TSC of different disease severity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of mTOR signalling by mutations in tuberin and/or hamartin leads to the formation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Trials to treat TSC using mTOR inhibitors, including rapamycin, have been performed. Although rapamycin improves many TSC lesions, significant side-effects appear after systemic administration. Topical administration has been recommended. OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of rapamycin-tacrolimus ointment was examined for TSC-related angiofibroma. METHODS: Left-right comparisons of the tacrolimus ointments with/without 0·2% rapamycin was conducted in symmetrical facial angiofibromas in nine patients with definitive TSC. After the 3-month treatment, a cumulative score for redness, flatness and papule size was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Blood rapamycin levels were analysed by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS). RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, all of the scores significantly improved for rapamycin-tacrolimus treatment compared with tacrolimus alone. No adverse reactions were noted and blood levels of rapamycin were below the detection limit in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of rapamycin-tacrolimus ointment is a safe and useful treatment for TSC-related angiofibroma.