Infantile hemangiomas β3-adrenoceptor overexpression is associated with nonresponse to propranolol.

Propranolol (unselective antagonist of β1 and β2-ARs) is currently the first-line treatment for IHs, with a success rate of ~60%. Its effectiveness has been attributed to its ability to block β2-ARs. However, β3-ARs (on which propranolol is minimally active) were significantly more expressed in hemangioma biopsies taken from patients nonresponsive to propranolol. This study suggests a possible role of β3-ARs in hemangioma pathogenesis and a possible new therapeutic target.