Atorvastatin to Treat Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients are eligible for the trial if they are 18-70 years old with radiographic stages II and III pulmonary sarcoidosis, and are on prednisone, methotrexate, or azathioprine for pulmonary sarcoidosis or who are steroid-requiring. Patients with extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis (except cardiac and neurosarcoidosis) may be eligible as long as they have active pulmonary (stage II or III) sarcoidosis. Steroid-Requiring History: A steroid-requiring patient is one who was previously stable but who ultimately experiences (a) increased symptoms associated with radiographic deterioration, and/or, (b) met the criteria for relapse and/or functional deterioration. In addition, patients who were prescribed prednisone for sarcoidosis, but have self-discontinued it (yet still have clinical and symptomatic disease and/or evidence of pulmonary functional deterioration) will be considered steroid-requiring. This latter group of steroid-requiring patients is eligible for enrollment if they are willing to resume taking their latest stabilizing dose of prednisone for at least four weeks prior to study entry. If their dose cannot be determined, then 40 mg will be used. Therefore, a history of symptomatic or clinical deterioration leading to therapy initiation, or a history of decline associated with attempts to decrease therapy should be established. Medical records review and discussion with the prescribing physician will be used to establish this history. Radiographic Stages of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: STAGE< TAB> DESCRIPTION 0< TAB> Normal Chest Radiograph I< TAB> Bilateral Hilar Lymphadenopathy II< TAB> Pulmonary Infiltration and Bilateral Hilar Lymphadenopathy III< TAB> Pulmonary Infiltration alone Steroid-requiring refers to one of three situations: Patients who meet relapse criteria or functional deterioration. Functional deterioration criteria that warrants prednisone therapy includes: If VC fell to 75% of the best recorded value for the patient before any treatment If VC fell to greater than 50% of predicted value IF DLCO fell to less than 60% of the best recorded value prior to their treatment Patients who are on a previously prescribed systemic steroid, or alternative agent such as methotrexate or azathioprine, primarily for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Alternative agents must first be changed to roughly equivalent anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone and the patient should be stable on this dose for at least four weeks prior to randomization. Patients who have substantial respiratory symptoms (distressing cough or dyspnea, which interferes with daily activities that would warrant therapy as per the standard of practice in the US. Extra Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Patients with extra pulmonary sarcoidosis (except neurosarcoidosis and cardiac sarcoidosis) may be eligible as long as they have active pulmonary (stage II or III) sarcoidosis. All patients will be referred to an NIH ophthalmologist. Steroid therapy may be modified based upon the recommendations of the consultants, as well as per the lapse criteria described above. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Moderate to severe pulmonary fibrosis (stage IV sarcoidosis greater than 50% fibrosis) Lung Disease such as asthma, COPD, ILD (other than sarcoid-related) History of significant beryllium or asbestos exposure Pregnancy; or Active lactation/ child-bearing age female without appropriate birth control methods HIV disease Hepatitis C and Active Hepatitis B Other intervention protocols Immunosuppressive therapy (systemic or inhaled) other than corticosteroids or methotrexate Significant cardiac disease (NYSHA class greater than III), or serious coronary disease (unstable angina) Use of statins within 12 weeks of enrollment Allergies or intolerance to statins Liver disease (transaminases greater than 1.5X upper limits of normal) or cirrhosis Bleeding diathesis that is not correctable Inability to perform CPET (cycle ergometer) or PFT maneuvers Inability to understand the risks of the trial and the inability to complete the questionnaire Malignancy-- requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy; except certain types of skin cancer that have been excised and have not spread. Myopathy, diagnosed via muscle biopsy (other than sarcoid-related myopathy); CPK grater than 1.5 upper limits of normal Surgical Risk Category [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class IV Ingestion of grapefruit juice or certain herbal preparations (see below), or medications that are potent inhibitors or inducers of the CYP3A4 system (see section 12.4 under precautions) Alcohol abuse (greater than 4 drinks/day) Bleeding into the brain or parts of the eyes (retina) (within the past year prior to enrollment) Uncontrolled Hypertension (SBP greater than 185 or DBP greater than 100 on two or more visits or assessments) Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus (Serum glucose level on two or more tests per day greater than 250 mg/dl or erratic blood sugar levels, noted on at least 2 or more assessments; and/or HgbA1C greater than 2x the upper limits of normal). Neurosarcoidosis Sarcoid Uveitis (Posterior Uveitis) or any Uveitis that cannot be managed with topical steroids alone, as determined by an ophthalmologist (Clinically apparent) Cardiac Sarcoidosis Active Smoker (Smoked within the past 2 months prior to randomization) Sickle cell disease (SS, SC, and sickle cell-beta thalassemia) Aseptic necrosis of the hip joints Patients taking the following preparations will not be allowed to participate in the study unless they agree to discontinue usage at least two weeks prior to randomization and for the duration of the study period: grapefruit juice and herbal remedies that may lead to severe liver injury and/or muscle injury if taken with atorvastatin, including: Skullcap, chaparral, Germander, Jin Bu Huan, Valerian, Comfrey, and Eucalyptus. Since other products such as St. John s Wort, oat bran, and pectin can reduce the effectiveness of atorvastatin, they and similar agents, should also be discontinued at least two weeks before randomization and for the duration of the study period. Subjects with inactive hepatitis B will require antiviral prophylaxis with an agent such as lamivudine, while on prednisone therapy.