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The Role of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibition in the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer

  • Breast Cancer (KR Fox, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) has become the standard of care for postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor–positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer (ABC); however, progression following initial treatment remains a major clinical challenge given the large patient population, many of whom develop progressive disease. There is an unmet need for treatment strategies that can overcome endocrine resistance. Growth factor-mediated signaling pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway, contribute to estrogen-independent growth that may lead to endocrine resistance. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the use of mTOR inhibitors, such as everolimus and temsirolimus, is a promising strategy to potentially enhance endocrine sensitivity in ABC. This review will focus on the current ET options for women with HR+ ABC who have progressed on prior AI therapy, the role of mTOR-mediated signaling in breast cancer, and the clinical evidence supporting the use of mTOR inhibitors.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for medical editorial assistance was provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. I thank Payal N. Gandhi, PhD, ProEd Communications, Inc., for her medical editorial assistance with this manuscript.

Disclosure

M. Gnant: consultancy fees (Novartis, Merrion), speaker’s fees (Roche, Amgen, Novartis, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline), and unrestricted grant/research funding (Roche, Sanofi–Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, AstraZeneca).

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  1. Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Wien, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria

    Michael Gnant

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Correspondence to Michael Gnant.

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Gnant, M. The Role of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibition in the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 15, 14–23 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-012-0277-1

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