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mTOR inhibitors in breast cancer: a systematic review

Flora Zagouri1, Theodoros N Sergentanis, Dimosthenis Chrysikos

  • 1Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Department of Medicine I/Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. florazagouri@yahoo.co.uk

Gynecologic Oncology
|September 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

mTOR inhibitors like everolimus show promise for breast cancer treatment, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-positive subtypes. Further research is needed to optimize temsirolimus use in metastatic breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is vital in tumor progression and frequently deregulated in breast cancer.
  • mTOR inhibitors are being investigated for their therapeutic potential in various breast cancer subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize data on mTOR inhibitors in all breast cancer subcategories.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of everolimus, temsirolimus, sirolimus, and MKC-1 in breast cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
  • Inclusion of 16 studies for everolimus, 7 for temsirolimus, 1 for sirolimus, and 2 for MKC-1, encompassing over 3000 patients.

Main Results:

  • Everolimus demonstrated significant efficacy, leading to its inclusion in NCCN guidelines and imminent FDA/EMA approval for combination therapy.
  • Everolimus shows potential for long-term benefit in HER2-positive breast cancer when combined with trastuzumab.
  • Temsirolimus shows promise for metastatic breast cancer, but optimal patient selection requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR inhibitors, especially everolimus, represent a valuable therapeutic strategy for specific breast cancer subtypes.
  • Further research is essential to define the role and optimal application of temsirolimus in metastatic breast cancer treatment.

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