Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Temsirolimus
Michael Schulze1, Christian Stock, Massimo Zaccagnini
1Department of Urology SLK-Klinikum Heilbronn, Teaching Hospital of the University of Heidelberg, Am Gesundbrunnen 20, 74074, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Temsirolimus, an ester of sirolimus (rapamycin), selectively inhibits the kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and consequently blocks the translation of cell cycle regulatory proteins and prevents overexpression of angiogenic growth factors. It has been found to have antitumour activity in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In addition, patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and a poor prognosis who received a once-weekly intravenous (IV) infusion of temsirolimus 25 mg experienced significant survival benefits compared with patients receiving standard interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy in a large phase III clinical study. In this study, median overall survival was 10.9 versus 7.3 months and objective response rates were 8.6% in temsirolimus recipients versus 4.8% IFN-α recipient group. Temsirolimus monotherapy recipients experienced significantly fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events and had fewer withdrawals for adverse events than patients receiving IFN-α. The role of temsirolimus in sequential and combination therapy is yet to be found.
Insights
Temsirolimus significantly improves survival and response rates in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients compared to interferon-alpha. This mTOR inhibitor also shows antitumor activity in mantle cell lymphoma, with fewer adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Temsirolimus is an mTOR inhibitor with demonstrated antitumor activity.
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are aggressive cancers.
- Current therapies for advanced RCC, like interferon-alpha (IFN-α), have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of temsirolimus in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To assess the antitumor activity of temsirolimus in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
Main Methods:
- A large phase III clinical study compared temsirolimus (25 mg IV weekly) with IFN-α in advanced RCC patients.
- Efficacy endpoints included overall survival and objective response rates.
- Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events.
Main Results:
- Temsirolimus significantly improved median overall survival (10.9 vs. 7.3 months) and objective response rates (8.6% vs. 4.8%) compared to IFN-α in advanced RCC.
- Temsirolimus monotherapy was associated with fewer severe adverse events and fewer treatment withdrawals due to adverse events.
- Antitumor activity was observed in patients with relapsed/refractory MCL.
Conclusions:
- Temsirolimus offers significant survival benefits and an improved safety profile over IFN-α for advanced RCC patients.
- Temsirolimus demonstrates efficacy in MCL, warranting further investigation.
- The potential of temsirolimus in combination or sequential therapy requires further study.
Related Concept Videos
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...