What is sirolimus?
Sirolimus (trade name Rapamune™) is a selective immune-suppressing drug. It is most commonly used in patients that have a transplanted kidney to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ.
The drug is derived from a bacterium called Streptomyces hygroscopicus, which was found in the 1970s on the island Rapa Nui, hence its alternate name, rapamycin.
What is sirolimus used for?
The main use of sirolimus is in patients with a kidney transplant. It may be chosen because other immune-suppressing drugs are causing side effects, or the patient is developing cancers associated with lowered immunity (including skin cancers). It is often used in combination with other immune-suppressing drugs such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus.
Oral sirolimus is also used off label in the treatment of graft versus host disease. It is under investigation for treating certain cancers and other diseases.
There have been small studies showing sirolimus may be effective in the following skin conditions:
- Psoriasis, in combination with ciclosporin
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis
- Lynch syndrome - malignancy risk less with sirolimus than other longterm immunosuppression
- Pachyonychia congenita
- Capillary, venous and lymphatic vascular malformations
The effect of sirolimus was often discovered when patients with these conditions required a kidney transplant and took sirolimus as part of their immune-suppressing drug regimen.
How does sirolimus work?
Sirolimus dampens down the body’s immune response by its action on lymphocytes (white blood cells). This reduces the body’s inflammatory response.
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a complex of protein kinases that promote cellular survival, cellular growth and catabolic processes. The mTOR pathway is inhibited by sirolimus/rapamycin. The mTOR pathway is also dysregulated in diabetes, obesity, some inflammatory skin diseases and certain cancers.
Sirolimus ointment
Sirolimus ointment has been trialled off-label to control facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis.
The ointment has to be specially made up, usually by crushing a tablet of sirolimus, and mixing with a base such as petroleum jelly. Trials have varied the strength of the ointment (0.1 to 1%) and length of treatment/frequency of application; there is no current standardised treatment schedule. Patients using sirolimus ointment may also be treated with laser.
How is sirolimus dosed?
Oral sirolimus is available as a tablet and liquid. Starting dose is usually 6 mg, followed by 2 mg daily. Subsequently, the dose is varied according to the blood levels of the drug.
Occasionally, oral sirolimus is used at the same time as topical sirolimus.
How is sirolimus monitored?
Patients on oral sirolimus for renal transplant control should have the following checks.
- Sirolimus blood levels; these are done more frequently at the start of treatment then every few months once blood levels become stable.
- Blood cholesterol and lipid levels, as sirolimus can increase these
- Kidney function
- Full blood count and liver function tests
- Regular skin checks to identify skin cancers
Drug interactions with sirolimus
Many medicines may interact with sirolimus; refer to the manufacturer’s data sheet for further information. Sirolimus is metabolised by the liver enzymes CYP3A4 and p-glycoprotein.
- Ciclosporin is processed by and inhibits CYP3A4. Both drug levels should be carefully monitored. Take these medications 4 hours apart.
- Calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, verapamil
- Antifungal agents such as clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole
- Antibiotics: clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampicin
- Anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin
- Antinausea drugs such as metoclopramide
- Other drugs such as danazol, protease inhibitors (for HIV and hepatitis C including ritonavir, indinavir, boceprevir, and telaprevir)
- Grapefruit juice
- St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum, hypericin)
What are the side effects of sirolimus?
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Folliculitis/acne induced by sirolimus
Prevention of infection while on sirolimus
Patients are generally screened for infections before starting sirolimus. These should include:
Immunisation may be less effective in patients on sirolimus due to a reduced immune response.
If you are not based in New Zealand, we suggest you refer to your national drug approval agency for further information about medicines (eg, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and the US Food and Drug Administration) or a national or state-approved formulary (eg, the New Zealand Formulary and New Zealand Formulary for Children and the British National Formulary and British National Formulary for Children).