HOW IS LAM TREATED?

Because LAM affects almost exclusively women of childbearing age, physicians have thought that the hormone estrogen might be involved in the abnormal muscle cell growth that characterizes the disease, just as it is in the growth of smooth muscle in the uterus in a woman's childbearing years. Although there is no direct evidence that there is a relationship between estrogen and LAM, the treatment of LAM has focused on reducing the production or effects of estrogen. The response to treatment has been highly individual, and no therapy has been found to be effective for all LAM patients. Treatments vary in effectiveness from patient to patient, and none have yet been scientifically proven. Oxygen therapy may become necessary if the disease continues to worsen and lung function is impaired. Lung transplantation is considered as a last resort. A treatment trial is presently being conducted at the University of Cincinnati using a new drug called rapamycin. To learn more about rapamycin click here for an interview with Scientific Director, Frank McCormack. In 2005, a second trial called The Sirolimus Multicenter International Lymphangiomyomatosis Efficacy and Safety (SMILES) Trial will be conducted for LAM patients worldwide.