Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Rapamune |
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Routes of administration |
Oral |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 14% (oral solution), lower with high-fat meals; 18% (tablet), higher with high-fat meals |
Protein binding | 92% |
Metabolism | Hepatic |
Biological half-life | 57–63 hours |
Excretion | Mostly faecal |
Identifiers | |
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Synonyms | Rapamycin |
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PDB ligand | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.107.147 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C51H79NO13 |
Molar mass | 914.172 g/mol |
3D model (Jmol) | |
Solubility in water | 0.0026 mg/mL (20 °C) |
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Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin, is a macrolide compound that is used to coat coronary stents, prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. It has immunosuppressant functions in humans and is especially useful in preventing the rejection of kidney transplants. It inhibits activation of T cells and B cells by reducing the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2).
It is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus and was isolated for the first time in 1972 by Suren Sehgal and colleagues from samples of Streptomyces hygroscopicus found on Easter Island. The compound was originally named rapamycin after the native name of the island, Rapa Nui. Sirolimus was initially developed as an antifungal agent. However, this use was abandoned when it was discovered to have potent immunosuppressive and antiproliferative properties due to its ability to inhibit mTOR. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in September 1999 and is marketed under the trade name Rapamune by Pfizer (formerly by Wyeth).
Sirolimus is indicated for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).