The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein that has been recognized the last few years as an important target for cancer therapeutics. mTOR is an enzyme produced by kidney cancer cells. The activation status of mTOR determines whether the kidney cancer cell produces key proteins needed for proliferation, growth, survival, and angiogenesis. In kidney cancer, mTOR is activated by various mechanisms, including growth factors, nutrients and kidney cancer causing genes (oncogenes).
Two drugs that inhibit mTOR, temsirolimus and everolimus, are currently being approved as potential medications to improve survival in metastatic kidney cancer. More studies are underway to show whether these medications will be useful in the treatment of patients with metastatic kidney cancer.
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