John J. Bissler
Led the first clinical trial proving an mTOR inhibitor shrinks tuberous sclerosis kidney tumors
MD, pediatric nephrologist · Cincinnati Children's · Chief, Pediatric Nephrology, Univ. of Tennessee Health Science Center · Director, TSC Center of Excellence, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital · now Medical Director of Nephrology, St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ↗
Led the 2008 sirolimus trial (BIS2008): angiomyolipoma volume dropped to 53% of baseline by 12 months, crept back after stopping — proof mTOR blockade needs to be continuous. Key investigator on EXIST-2 (BIS2013) confirming the effect with everolimus in placebo-controlled design.
A 2023 Army-funded grant now tests whether blood-pressure drugs can prevent angiomyolipomas forming at all.
Milestones in the Atlas
| Year | Evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | H | Sirolimus for angiomyolipoma in tuberous sclerosis complex or lymphangioleiomyomatosis BIS2008 24-month open-label sirolimus trial: AML volume drops to 53% of baseline, drifts back after stopping. |
| 2013 | H | Everolimus for angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex or sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis (EXIST-2): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial BIS2013 Key investigator on EXIST-2, confirming everolimus shrinks kidney AMLs in 42% vs 0% placebo. |