Brain vascular malformations, including arteriovenous malformations (AVM), cavernous malformations (CVM) and aneurysms, are a source of life-threatening risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. There is no medical therapy presently available. Prevention of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the primary reason to treat brain vascular malformations. The goal of this study is to: begin pilot studies to lay the groundwork for future clinical trials to develop medical therapy to decrease ICH risk.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulate the extracellular matrix in association with various hemorrhagic brain disorders. MMP-9 has been most consistently associated with vascular wall instability and hemorrhagic brain disorders. Doxycycline, a non-specific MMP inhibitor, may enhance vascular stability, thus reducing the risk of spontaneous hemorrhage in brain vascular malformations by decreasing MMP-9 activity.

• Doses will be randomized by the Pharmacy Department at UCSF for Doxycycline 100 mg/BID and Placebo BID. These will be prepared in blister-packs.
• Two weeks before surgery, patients will be assigned to a treatment group according to a random table.
• Each patient will be initially provided with a 2-week supply of drug in blister packs. The patient will take the final dose of study drug on the morning of surgery.

Baseline labs will be obtained and then again at time of surgery along with a piece of surgical tissue.

• Brain Arteriovenous Malformations
• Brain Cavernous Malformations
• Brain Aneurysms

• Active Comparator: Patients undergoing elective vascular malformation surgery will receive doxycycline100 mg twice a day, a dose shown to effectively decrease MMP or placebo, treatment for two weeks prior to surgery
• Placebo Comparator: Patients undergoing elective vascular malformation surgery will receive doxycycline100 mg twice a day, a dose shown to effectively decrease MMP or placebo, treatment for two weeks prior to surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

• 13 years or older
• Female patients of child bearing age using barrier-type birth control
• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/di
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal
• WBC count at least 3,800/mm3
• BMI within 50% of normal

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to tetracycline
• Unstable medical illness (unstable angina, advanced cancer, etc) over the last 30 days
• Female patients of child-bearing age not using effective birth control (barrier)
• History of vestibular disease (except benign positional vertigo)
• History of noncompliance with treatment or other experimental protocols
• Patients taking other antibiotics
• History of systemic lupus erythematosis
• Patients who are immunocompromised Patients with clinically significant hepatic dysfunction