Characterization of the Pathogenesis of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Summary
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a destructive lung disease typically affecting women of childbearing age. Currently, there is no effective therapy for the disease and the prognosis is poor. This study is designed to determine the disease processes involved at the level of cells and molecules, in order to develop more effective therapy. Researchers intend to identify the proteins and genes that contribute to the process of lung destruction in affected individuals. ...
Description
Individuals with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis develop severe destructive lung disease. Most of them are females of childbearing age. Currently, there is no proven effective therapy and the prognosis is variable. This study is designed to (a) define the clinical course of the disease and (b) elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease at the cellular and molecular levels, in order to develop more effective therapy. To accomplish this, we intend to identify the proteins and genes that contribute to the process of lung destruction in affected individuals.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 16–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: General admission criteria for patients include one or both of the following: Findings on lung biopsy diagnostic of LAM; Findings on chest x-ray and/or chest computed axial tomography consistent with LAM. Patients with TSC and pulmonary LAM will be included in the study. Normal non-smokers in the control group are defined as individuals who have not smoked for greater than or equal to 1 year and have no systemic or pulmonary disease. Normal smokers defined as individuals with no systemic or pulmonary disease, who have smoked for greater than or equal to 1 year and h…
Interventions
- DeviceToshibia Aquilion One CT
The Toshiba Aquilion ONE CT system is currently being used for studies in both general CT radiology and CT cardiac imaging. One of the unique aspects of the Aquilion ONE CT system is its ability to acquire whole organ volume images in a single rotation by utilizing an x-ray detector that is configured as 320 detector rows with a 0.5 mm width, providing a z-axis coverage of 16 cm of anatomy. In line with the evolutionary changes to CT systems, the Aquilion ONE will be upgraded with new technology that will expand its capabilities. The changes being made to the Aquilion ONE will provide enhancements to image acquisition capabilities, reduce ionizing radiation dose, and improve subject access to the system. All of these features assist in enhancing the safety of the currently installed Aquilion ONE CT system.
Location
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, Maryland