Learn about mTOR — The Science behind AFINITOR^®

mTOR: A central regulator of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and cell metabolism

mTOR is an important therapeutic target because:

• It is a key intracellular point of convergence for a number of signaling pathways that are abnormally activated in many types of cancer^1,2
• It appears to be a stable target that does not mutate ^1,3,4

The use of mTOR inhibitors is considered a promising therapeutic approach in renal cell carcinoma.

• The inhibition of mTOR may:
1. Inhibit abnormal cell proliferation, tumor angiogenesis and abnormal cell metabolism
2. Enhance the efficacy of other cancer treatments^1,3,5

Learn more about the role of mTOR and the importance of mTOR inhibition

• mTOR Inhibitors
  Discover how mTOR inhibitors may play an important role in the management of renal cell carcinoma.
• Cell Proliferation
  Read about how activation of mTOR leads to enhanced cell proliferation.
• Angiogenesis
  Learn more about mTOR activation in the promotion of angiogenesis.
• Cell Metabolism
  Explore the role of mTOR in the regulation of cell metabolism.

References:
1. Bjornsti MA, Houghton PJ. The TOR pathway: a target for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer. 2004;4:335-348.
2. Shaw RJ, Cantley LC. Ras, PI(3)K and mTOR signalling controls tumour cell growth. Nature. 2006;441:424-430.
3. Faivre S, Kroemer G, Raymond E. Current development of mTOR inhibitors as anticancer agents. Nat Rev Drug Disc. 2006;5:671-688.
4. Huang S, Bjornsti MA, Houghton PJ. Rapamycins — Mechanism of action and cellular resistance. Cancer Biol Ther. 2003;2:222-232.
5. Guertin DA, Sabatini DM. An expanding role for mTOR in cancer. Trends Mol Med. 2005;11:353-361.