Conditions: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Lymphangiomyomas Pleural Effusions Ascites
Keywords: Chylous Ascites Chylous Pleural Effusion Inhibitory Effects Lymphangioleiomyoma Somatostatin Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 4
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a disease primarily of women of child-bearing age, is characterized by cystic lung disease and abdominal tumors (e.g., angiomyolipomas). Within the LAM patient population is a subset of patients who develop chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas. Treatment of many of these symptoms has been ineffective. Previous studies with somatostatin and octreotide in other clinical settings have shown reduction in chylous effusions. This study assesses the effectiveness of octreotide in symptomatic patients with LAM, lymphangioleiomyomas and/or chylous effusions/ascites, peripheral lymphedema and chyluria.

Detailed description:
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a disease primarily of women of child-bearing age, is characterized by cystic lung disease and abdominal tumors (e.g., angiomyolipomas). Within the LAM patient population is a subset of patients who develop chylous ascites, chylous pleural effusions, chyluria, peripheral lymphedema, and/or lymphangioleiomyomas. Lymphangioleiomyomas are believed to result from a proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells within the lymphatic system, which appears to obstruct fluid outflow, leading to fluid accumulation and an increase in size. The lymphangioleiomyomas may occur anywhere along the axial lymphatic chain. In patients with LAM, they occur most frequently in the thorax, abdomen and pelvis and may give rise to a myriad of symptoms (e.g., paresthesias, palpitations, peripheral edema). In some patients, treatment of many of these symptoms, i.e., elevation of lower extremities, paracentesis, thoracentesis, diuretics, and/or surgery, has been ineffective. Previous studies with somatostatin and octreotide in other clinical settings (e.g., traumatic damage to the lymphatics) have shown a successful reduction in chylous effusions, chyluria, ascites, and peripheral lymphedema, when other therapies were less effective. This study will assess the effectiveness of octreotide in symptomatic patients with LAM, lymphangioleiomyomas and/or chylous effusions/ascites, peripheral lymphedema and chyluria. The dose of octreotide starts at 50 micrograms (ug) by the subcutaneous route twice a day. After two weeks the dose will be increased to 200 ug per day and two weeks later to 400 ug/day. Maximal dose is 400 ug twice a day.

Arms:
arm 1: Patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and lymphatic tumors, ascites or pleural effusions who are symptomatic will receive subcutaneous injections of octreotide starting at a dose of 100 micrograms per day. Doses will be gradually increased to a maximum of 800 micrograms per day, two months after enrollment, if there is no response to lower doses.

Interventions: intervention 1: Octreotide
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Treatment with octreotide starts at a dose of 50 micrograms(ug) twice a day which is increased to 100 ug twice a day after two weeks and to 200 ug twice a day two weeks later. After two months, if there is no response the dose shall be increased to 400 ug twice a day.

Protocol document: