A novel topical rapamycin cream for the treatment of facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Facial angiofibromas are dermatological manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex, a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by excess cell growth and proliferation. Oral rapamycin has been used to treat visceral tuberous sclerosis-related tumors; however, the side effect profile of this medicine precludes its routine use in patients lacking significant internal involvement. The authors formulated a novel rapamycin cream that is easy to compound and apply, does not cause local or systemic side effects, and results in a dramatic improvement of facial angiofibromas.