Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and their potential role in therapy in leukaemia and other haematological malignancies

David T. Teachey, Stephan A. Grupp, Valerie I. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that functions as a key regulator of cell growth, protein synthesis, and cell-cycle progression through interactions with a number of signalling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, ras, TCL1, and BCR/ABL. Many haematological malignancies have aberrant activation of the mTOR and related signalling pathways. Accordingly, mTOR inhibitors, a class of signal transduction inhibitors that were originally developed as immunosuppressive agents, are being investigated in preclinical models and clinical trials for a number of haematological malignancies. Sirolimus and second-generation mTOR inhibitors, such as temsirolimus and everolimus, are safe and relatively well-tolerated, making them potentially attractive as single agents or in combination with conventional cytotoxics and other targeted therapies. Promising early clinical data suggests activity of mTOR inhibitors in a number of haematological diseases, including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. This review describes the rationale for using mTOR inhibitors in a variety of haematological diseases with a focus on their use in leukaemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)569-580
Number of pages12
JournalBritish Journal of Haematology
Volume145
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and their potential role in therapy in leukaemia and other haematological malignancies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this