Pericardial Cyst
Pericardial cysts are uncommon, and 1 in 10 pericardial cysts is a pericardial diverticulum. Pericardial cysts and diverticula are of similar developmental origin, and they may be found incidentally on the chest roentgenogram in asymptomatic individuals. As a pioneer in the research and development pathway of rare cardiovascular disease, Protheragen offers the full range of drug development services for rare diseases, including rare cardiac tumors and pericardial cysts.
Introduction to Pericardial Cyst
Cystic lesions in the pericardial space are a rare finding, representing 7% of mediastinal masses and 33% of mediastinal cysts. The prevalence of pericardial cysts is 1/100 thousand, and most of the pericardial cysts presenting as mediastinal opacity are discovered incidentally. They exist in the third to fourth decade of life and affect males and females equally. In 70% of the individuals, they are situated in the right cardiophrenic angle, whereas in 22% of the individuals, they are located in the left cardiophrenic angle, and in 8% of the individuals, they are situated in the posterior or anterior-superior mediastinum.
Fig.1 A large, cystic pericardial mass was found in the anterior mediastinum and left hemithorax via TTE and chest CT. (Adib-Hajbagheri, P., et al., 2024)Pathogenesis of Pericardial Cyst
Pericardial cysts are most commonly congenital; however, various etiologies of pericardial cysts have been documented. Pericardial cysts are thought to develop from the failure of fusion of one of the mesenchymal lacunae that constitutes the embryonic pericardial sac.
Continuation of the ventral recess of the pericardial coelom gives rise to the diverticulum, constriction of the proximal portion of the persistent recess leads to formation of a diverticulum with a narrow neck, or gives rise to the origin of the pericardial cyst communicating with the pericardial cavity and a complete closure of the proximal recess gives rise to the pericardial cyst.
Therapeutics Development for Pericardial Cyst
Pericardial cysts are primarily treated surgically when they are symptomatic or large. The role of medication is typically to manage associated symptoms or complications, such as inflammation or discomfort.
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | Block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to reduce the synthesis of prostaglandin, thus lowering inflammation and pain. | COX enzymes | Approved |
| Colchicine | It binds to tubulin and therefore prevents microtubule polymerization, which leads to the inhibition of leukocyte migration and the release of inflammatory mediators. | Tubulin | Approved |
| Aspirin | Through COX-1/2 enzyme inhibition, the production of prostaglandin and inflammation is diminished. | COX enzymes | Approved |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Protheragen is aware of the special challenges of developing cures for rare diseases. We provide an end-to-end solution including diagnostics, cutting-edge therapeutics, and disease modeling to rapidly discover and develop life-changing therapeutics. We also provide pharmacokinetics and drug safety studies. Our world-class facilities and seasoned scientific experts guarantee rigorous data collection and analysis, contributing essential understanding of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, excreted, and potentially toxic.
Therapeutic Development Services
Animal Model Development for Pericardial Cyst
Animal models play a keystone role in exploring the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pericardial cyst genesis. Given the specificities of rare diseases such as pericardial cyst, we offer tailored animal model development services. Our experts collaborate to create and validate preclinical models that meet the unique research needs of our clients.
These models typically involve deliberate manipulation of the pericardial space through surgical procedures to create conditions that lead to cyst formation or mimic their characteristics.
Optional models: Experimental aortic stenosis, etc.
Sutherlandia Frutescens-induced Model
Extracts of Sutherlandia Frutescens led to bleeding and pericardial cyst formation when applied at high concentrations to the zebrafish embryo culture.
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Safety Research Services
The choice of partners is crucial in the rare cardiovascular disease drug development field. Protheragen specializes in rare diseases, and with our shared focus on the research progress for rare cardiovascular disease mechanisms and therapy development, we are well-suited to be a partner. We are focused on providing high-quality and dependable results, enabling our customers to advance new therapies more quickly. If you would like information on our services, please contact us.
Reference
- Adib-Hajbagheri, Parisa et al. "Pericardial cyst unveiling: a case of unusual chest symptoms in a young woman with a family history of cancer: a case report and review of literature." Journal of medical case reports 18.1 (2024): 459.
For research use only, not for clinical use.