Mutation analysis of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes in Japanese patients with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a destructive lung disease characterized by a diffuse hamartomatous proliferation of smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) in the lungs. Pulmonary LAM can occur as an isolated form (sporadic LAM) or in association with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) (TSC-LAM), a genetic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance with various expressivity resulting from mutations of either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. We examined mutations of both TSC genes in 6 Japanese patients with TSC-LAM and 22 patients with sporadic LAM and identified six unique and novel mutations. TSC2 germline mutations were detected in 2 (33.3%) of 6 patients with TSC-LAM and TSC1 germline mutation in 1 (4.5%) of 22 sporadic LAM patients. In accordance with the tumor-suppressor model, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was detected in LAM cells from 3 of 4 patients with TSC-LAM and from 4 of 8 patients with sporadic LAM. Furthermore, an identical LOH or two identical somatic mutations were demonstrated in LAM cells microdissected from several tissues, suggesting LAM cells can spread from one lesion to another. Our results from Japanese patients with LAM confirmed the current concept of pathogenesis of LAM: TSC-LAM has a germline mutation but sporadic LAM does not; sporadic LAM is a TSC2 disease with two somatic mutations; and a variety of TSC mutations causes LAM. However, our study indicates that a fraction of sporadic LAM can be a TSC1 disease; therefore, both TSC genes should be examined, even for patients with sporadic LAM. Received: August 30, 2001 / Accepted: November 2, 2001     

Effect of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue on lung function in lymphangioleiomyomatosis

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a multisystem disease occurring primarily in women, is characterized by cystic lung destruction, and kidney and lymphatic tumors, caused by the proliferation of abnormal-appearing cells (ie, LAM cells) with a smooth muscle cell phenotype that express melanoma antigens and are capable of metastasizing. Estrogen receptors are present in LAM cells, and this finding, along with reports of disease progression during pregnancy or following exogenous estrogen administration, suggest the involvement of estrogens in the pathogenesis of LAM. Consequently, antiestrogen therapies have been employed in treatment. The goal of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of triptorelin, a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue, in 11 premenopausal women with LAM. METHODS: Patients were evaluated at baseline and every 3 to 6 months thereafter, for a total of 36 months. Hormonal assays, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk tests, high-resolution CT scans of the chest, and bone mineral density studies were performed. RESULTS: Gonadal suppression was achieved in all patients. Overall, a significant decline in lung function was observed; two patients underwent lung transplantation 1 year after study enrollment, and another patient was lost to follow-up. Treatment with triptorelin was associated with a decline in bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: Triptorelin appears not to prevent a decline in lung function in patients with LAM. Its use, however, may be associated with the loss of bone mineral density.     

Surgical treatment of chylothorax caused by lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare progressive disease caused by infiltration of smooth muscle-like cells in lymph vessels as well as the lung. We report a case of pulmonary LAM in a 22-year-old female with shortness of breath, recurrent pneumothorax and chylous pleural effusions. Multiple ligation of thoracic in lower part of thoracic duct was performed and biopsy of thoracic duct confirmed the diagnosis of LAM. The operation was successful and the patient was discharged. Although the thoracic duct involvement is extensive, multiple ligation in lower part of thoracic duct may be a good choice.     

恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯治疗耐拉米夫定慢性乙型肝炎患者48周的疗效分析

目的：观察恩替卡韦（ETV）联合阿德福韦酯（ADV）治疗耐拉米夫定（LAM）慢性乙型肝炎的疗效。方法选取 LAM 耐药患者66例,随机分成两组,治疗组36例应用 ETV 联合 ADV 挽救治疗,对照组30例应用 LAM 联合 ADV 挽救治疗,观察两组治疗前及治疗后12周、48周谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、总胆红素（TBIL）、乙型肝炎病毒 DNA（HBV-DNA）、乙型肝炎 e 抗原（HBeAg）含量变化以及治疗48周时非 rtM204I 位点变异发生率。结果治疗组挽救治疗后12周 ALT 和 AST 分别降至（36．5±13．23）U／L 和（50．2±11．66）U／L,显著低于同期对照组 ALT[（60．3±12．28）U／L,P ＜0．01]及 AST [（69．7±13．56）U／L,P ＜0．01]含量;治疗后48周治疗组 ALT 和 AST 降至（27．9±10．58）U／L 和（26．7±10．95）U／L,低于同期对照组 ALT[（50．4±11．53）U／L,P ＜0．01]及 AST[（44．9±15．33）,P ＜0．05]含量。治疗12周及48周,治疗组 HBV-DNA 转阴率分别为85．5％及91．7％,显著高于同期对照组转阴率（53．3％和73．3％,P 均＜0．05）。治疗组48周后出现1例新的非 rtM204I 位点变异,而对照组非 rtM204I位点变异情况为6例,两组相比差异有统计学意义（χ2＝5．12,P ＝0．024）。结论ETV 联合 ADV 用于既往 LAM 耐药的慢性乙型肝炎患者的挽救治疗疗效明显,值得临床推广。     

恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯治疗拉米夫定耐药慢性乙型肝炎患者的疗效观察

目的观察恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯治疗拉米夫定耐药慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效和安全性。方法选取昆山市人民医院2011年5月至2013年5月门诊和住院的拉米夫定耐药患者45例,随机分成两组,治疗组23例应用恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯挽救治疗,对照组22例应用拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯挽救治疗,观察两组治疗前及治疗后4、12、24、48周HBV DNA、ALT、AST、TBil、Alb、HBV血清学标志物含量变化以及治疗48周时非rtM204I位点变异发生率。计量资料组间比较用t检验,计数资料的组间比较用四格表χ2检验。结果治疗组挽救治疗后4、12周ALT、AST下降较对照组相比差异有统计学意义(t值为3.124、5.271、4.476、5.125,P值均0.01),挽救治疗24、48周后较对照组相比差异有统计学意义(t值为2.240、2.307、2.886、2.908,P值均0.05)。治疗4、12、24、48周后,治疗组HBV DNA转阴率分别为73.9%、86.8%、95.7%、100%,较对照组差异有统计学意义(χ2值为11.79、5.75、10.29、5.89,P值均0.05)。HBeAg阳性患者阴转率在治疗组及对照组间差异无统计学意义。治疗组48周后未出现新的非rtM204I位点变异,而对照组非rtM204I位点变异情况为4例,两组相比差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.59,P0.05)。结论恩替卡韦联合阿德福韦酯用于既往拉米夫定耐药的CHB患者的挽救治疗疗效明显,值得临床推广。     

恩替卡韦治疗肝功能衰竭的短期疗效观察

目的观察恩替卡韦治疗HBV相关肝功能衰竭的短期疗效。方法60例HBV相关肝功能衰竭患者分为ETV组、LAM组、未抗病毒治疗组（对照组）各20例,分别接受ETV、LAM治疗,对照组给予内科常规治疗。观察三组患者的MELD评分、病毒学指标及病死率的改变。结果三组患者12周存活率比较,差异无统计学意义;三组4周时MELD评分均值比较,差异无统计学意义;三组血清HBV DNA水平比较,差异无统计学意义。治疗期间无明显的副反应发生。结论NA抗病毒治疗可能延长肝衰竭患者12周生存率,为肝移植赢得时间;ETV通过强效迅速抑制病毒治疗肝衰竭疗效可能优于LAM;抗病毒治疗肝衰竭的评价及药物选择需扩大样本进一步研究。