Clinical Research Directory

Weekly Sirolimus Therapy

In current practice, options for venous and lymphatic malformations remain limited. Recently an oral medication, sirolimus, has been found to benefit patients when taken once or twice a day for several months. Unfortunately there are many side effects associated with this medication, some of which can be severe including, neutropenia, oral ulcerations, and lab abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to determine if once weekly dosed sirolimus will be effective for the treatment of venous and lymphatic malformations. Additionally, the study will evaluate patient satisfaction and identify adverse effects. Participants will be on the medication for 6 months with an option to continue after this time period.

A Trial of Targeted Therapies for Patients With Slow-Flow or Fast-Flow Vascular Malformations

Recent studies have demonstrated that growth of vascular malformations can be driven by genetic variants in one of 2 signalling pathways. Targeted drugs specific to these pathways have been developed and shown to be effective in treating cancer. This study will describe the effectiveness of (i) 48 weeks of alpelisib therapy for participants with slow-flow vascular malformations and a gene mutation in one of these signalling pathways (module 1) and (ii) 48 weeks of mirdametinib therapy for participants with fast-flow vascular malformations and a gene mutations in the other signalling pathway (module 2).

A Prospective Study on the Treatment of cLM Based on ICG Imaging

The goal of this prospective randomized controlled study is to explore the role of indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging in management of cystic lymphatic malformation.. To clarify the application value of indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging in both diagnosis and treatment of cystic lymphatic malformation (cLM) in children, is helpful for exploring pathogenesis of cLM, and providing a clearer scientific basis for subsequent surgical intervention. It also provides alternative for the future diagnosis and treatment of cLM. Participants will receive indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging before operation, while the patients in control group will receive traditional operation. Researchers will compare difference in curative effect between two groups.

Efficacy of Rapamycin in the Treatment of Cervico-facial Lymphatic Malformations

To evaluate the efficacy of Rapamycin in extended cervicofacial lymphatic malformations in pediatric patients. Rapamycin is administered oral for a 6 month period. The success rate is determined by volume reduction superior to 1/5e of the initial volume measured by MRI, impact on QOL and reduction of bleeding in case of mucosal involvement.

Safety and Efficacy Study of Intracystic TARA-002 for the Treatment of Lymphatic Malformations in Participants 6 Months to Less Than 18 Years of Age

This is a Phase 2a/b single arm open label study to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and efficacy of intracystic injection of TARA-002 in participants 6 months to less than 18 years of age for the treatment of macrocystic and mixed cystic lymphatic malformations. The Phase 2a safety lead-in, age de-escalation study is designed to establish the safety of TARA-002 in older participants 6 years to less than 18 years before proceeding to younger participants 2 years to less than 6 years, then 6 months to less than 2 years. The Phase 2b is an expansion study in which enrollment of participants will be initiated after safety has been established in each cohort during the Phase 2a safety lead-in study. Each participant will receive up to 4 injections of TARA-002 spaced approximately 6 weeks apart.

Diagnostic Imaging of Vascular Malformations Using MSOT and ULM

This clinical study evaluates the efficacy and accuracy of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) and Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) for imaging and diagnosing vascular malformations (venous, arteriovenous, lymphatic). The study aims to enhance diagnostic precision and improve treatment planning through advanced non-invasive imaging techniques.

Institution of an Italian Registry and Biobank for Biological Sample Collection

Lymphatic malformations (ML), are benign non-neoplastic, rare, resulting from an embryologic abnormal development of the lymphatic system. Sometimes they may be associated with other vascular malformations (venous or arterial)1,2. ML usually appear at birth, in early childhood or during the first years of life (congenital vs. acquired) and are mainly localized in the region of the head and neck, armpits, groin, retroperitoneal tissues, tongue and mucous membranes of the oral cavity since these areas contain a plethora of lymphatic structures1. The main complications due to their location are airway obstruction, difficulty in eating, and bleeding3-5. Infection and bleeding can promote the sudden, progressive and accelerated growth of these lesions1. The location, speed of growth, and the subsequent complications associated with ML, determine the overall severity of the clinical picture and require generally the referral of the affected patient to a specialized center that can ensure a multidisciplinary care3,5. Recently, the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA), has revised and updated the classification of such malformations, emphasizing the distinction between isolated forms and ML in the context of more complex syndromes with multisystem involvement2. Until a few years ago, the only treatment strategies available for ML were scleroembolization, cryotherapy, transcutaneous laser photocoagulation, and surgical resection of the malformation. The recent identification of genetic alterations in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/target mammalian pathway of rapamycin (mTOR), which underlies many isolated and syndromic ML pictures6-9, has opened up important prospects for personalized treatment with repurposed drugs6,7,10-20. Over the years, the rarity and complexity of ML management have resulted in a fragmented nature of available information and poor nationwide sharing of diagnostic-clinical-assistance-therapeutic protocols (PDTAs) with the consequent need for many families to undertake multispecialty consultations in various provinces or regions before identifying a suitable Referral Center. In addition, recent acquisitions in genetics have forced specialists, a further reevaluation of those complex clinical pictures of ML, whether isolated or syndromic, that could be candidates for personalized drug treatments. The institution of a national Registry of pathology promoted by the Association of Patients with Lymphatic Malformations, which supports clinicians and families in filling unmet information and clinical care gaps, is a priority project in order to improve the quality of life of patients and the level of care offered to them. In addition, the establishment of a collection of biological specimens, processed according to high quality standards, within a Research Biobank provides the opportunity for patients and their families to maximize the visibility of the specimens, promoting their use in national and international research projects dedicated to ML, in compliance with ELSI (Ethical, Social, and Legal Issues) criteria. The study primary Objective is To create a computerized registry for ML that collects both retrospective and prospective data in order to estimate the incidence and prevalence of ML, in different phenotypes. As secondary objectives. (i) Establish a collection of biological specimens (Fresh and fixed biopsy tissue; DNA extracted from whole blood, saliva and where possible from biopsy tissue) within the FPG Research Biobank, intended for future research purposes and available to the entire scientific community; ii) Genetically profile patients who have never undergone molecular diagnostics or who have been tested with restricted panels of genes (PIK3CA, AKT, MTOR, PTEN, KRAS and BRAF) (activity performed on patients per clinical practice); (iii) Define the natural history of ML in different phenotypes and genotypes from prenatal to adult age; (iv) Evaluate the clinical outcomes of different treatments (e.g., experimental drug therapy, maxillofacial surgery, vascular surgery, laser therapy, sclerotherapy, compression therapy, etc.) and different modes of care (type and frequency of visits performed) in the short and long term; (v) Assess the impact of ML on the lives of patients and caregivers; (vi) Support the drafting/updating of national recommendations and standards of care; vii) to promote and facilitate the implementation of research projects dedicated to ML, fostering the advancement of scientific knowledge on this specific disease area;

Different Doses of Sirolimus for the Treatment of Cystic Lymphatic Malformations

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of different concentration gradients of sirolimus in the treatment of cystic lymphatic malformation.

Lymphatic Anomalies Registry for the Assessment of Outcome Data

Lymphatic anomalies are a rare subset of vascular anomalies that are poorly understood. the understanding of the natural history, long-term outcomes, risk factors for morbidity and mortality, and the relative benefit of medical therapies and procedures is limited.The goal of this project is to better understand these diseases and improve the care of theses rare patients. To do this, the investigators are conducting an observational study of patients with lymphatic anomalies, including an annual follow-up questionnaire to gather prospective data on mortality, morbidity, treatments, and functionality as well as quality of life.

Use of Bleomycin in the Sclerotherapy of Lymphatic Malformations for Pediatric Patients

Bleomycin has nowadays been more and more widely used in the sclerotherapy of LMs, which has been proven to be primarily dose dependent. The investigators aim to compare the efficacy and safety of different concentrations of Bleomycin in the sclerotherapy of LMs for pediatric patients.