What is sirolimus?

Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin and sold under the brand name Rapamune, is a macrolide compound used to coat coronary stents to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. It has immunosuppressive functions in the human body and is especially suitable for preventing kidney transplant rejection. It is a mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) inhibitors, inhibiting the activation of T cells and B cells by reducing their sensitivity to interleukin-2 (IL-2).

The main advantage of sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitors is its low renal toxicity. Transplant patients who take calcineurin inhibitors long-term often develop impaired renal function and even renal failure; this can be avoided by using sirolimus. This would be particularly beneficial for patients undergoing kidney transplantation for hemolytic uremic syndrome, as the disease may recur in the transplanted kidney if calcineurin inhibitors are used.

SirolimusThe original drug has been launched in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. SpecificationsThe price of each box of 1mg*10 tablets is about 400 yuan. The domestic drug is only available to patients with anti-rejection reactions in organ transplantation. Patients who do not meet the conditions may not be able to purchase this drug. The original sirolimus drug has also been launched overseas. The price of the Turkish version of Specifications1mg*100 tablets per box is around RMB 2,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The ingredients of the original drugs marketed in China are basically the same as those of foreign original drugs. Currently, there are no generic sirolimus drugs produced in other countries.