Treatment of Aggressive Retinal Astrocytic Hamartoma with Oral Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibition

Purpose: To describe the clinical course and outcomes of aggressive retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) treated with oral mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORis).

Design: A retrospective clinical case series.

Participants: Five patients with genetically confirmed tuberous sclerosis complex and visually significant RAH due to tumor growth or exudation.

Methods: In this retrospective clinical case series, a review of electronic medical records was performed to determine baseline and follow-up ophthalmic examination characteristics, along with ancillary imaging findings, in patients receiving off-label treatment with either oral sirolimus or everolimus for symptomatic RAH.

Main outcome measures: Visual acuity, change in tumor size, degree of exudation, and adverse effects of the mTORis were evaluated.

Results: The 5 patients in this series ranged in age from 8 months to 54 years. Four were treated with sirolimus, and 1 received everolimus. In all the cases, the tumor height was stable or decreased after the treatment (median follow-up duration, 39 months; range, 11-73 months). Exudation improved after the treatment in all the cases. In an 8-month-old infant, frequent upper respiratory tract infections prompted the cessation of treatment. In 1 patient, the mTORi was temporarily withheld because of elevated liver enzyme levels. No other significant adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions: Sirolimus and everolimus should be considered in the management of vision-threatening RAH, particularly in the setting of exudative and rapidly growing tumors. Four of the 5 patients in this series tolerated the oral mTORi and continued with the therapy. There were no serious complications.