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The emerging safety profile of mTOR inhibitors, a novel class of anticancer agents

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Abstract

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has emerged as an important target for cancer therapy. Rapamycin has a distinct, well-documented toxicity profile and most of the toxicity data has been reported in patients with organ transplantation. Newer mTOR inhibitors have slightly different pharmacokinetic properties, yet they present toxicity profiles similar to rapamycin. Most of these toxicities are mild to moderate in severity and can be managed clinically by dose modification and supportive measures. Mucositis and pneumonitis are the most commonly reported toxicities, but they rarely lead to treatment discontinuation. Pathogenesis of pneumonitis is uncertain, but various hypotheses have been suggested, including cell-mediated immune response to the drug.

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No funds were received in support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Kamalesh Sankhala, Alain Mita, Kevin Kelly, Devalingam Mahalingam, Francis Giles & Monica Mita

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  1. Kamalesh Sankhala
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  2. Alain Mita
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  3. Kevin Kelly
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  4. Devalingam Mahalingam
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  5. Francis Giles
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  6. Monica Mita
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Correspondence to Monica Mita.

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Sankhala, K., Mita, A., Kelly, K. et al. The emerging safety profile of mTOR inhibitors, a novel class of anticancer agents. Targ Oncol 4, 135–142 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-009-0107-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-009-0107-z

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