mTOR Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Not the Answer for All

Adding temsirolimus to letrozole may improve progression-free survival in patients younger than 65.

The recent FDA approval of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus for use in conjunction with the steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI) exemestane for advanced breast cancer was based on data from the BOLERO-2 trial (N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 9; 366: 520), which showed that the two-agent combination conferred a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) over exemestane alone in patients with metastatic disease that progressed after nonsteroidal AI therapy. Similarly, the randomized phase II TAMRAD study (J Clin Oncol 2012 Aug 1; 30:2718) showed that the combination of everolimus and tamoxifen resulted in a better PFS and rate of clinical benefit compared with tamoxifen alone, particularly in patients with prior response to AI therapy (i.e.,…

Reviewing Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)

mTOR Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Not the Answer for All

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Reviewing Author