mTOR pathway activation heterogeneous in kidney tumors

Washington-The mTOR/p70S6 kinase pathway is an important element of carcinogenesis in renal cell carcinoma, and its inhibition is often helpful in treating patients with advanced disease. But clinicians find that not all patients respond to mTOR inhibitors, raising the question of exactly which types of tumors are best treated with those agents.

Using tissue samples from primary renal tumors and matching resected or biopsied metastatic deposits, first author Alexander Kutikov, MD, and colleagues reported new insights into determining which patients may benefit most from such mTOR inhibitors as temsirolimus (Torisel) and everolimus (Afinitor).