New insights into mTOR inhibitors: spotlight on tolerability

At the recent 2013 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, the focus of several reported studies was on the tolerability of drugs that are inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). These drugs are well established in the treatment of patients with multiple types of solid tumours, including renal cell carcinoma, but there is a need for further data regarding the characterisation of their tolerability profiles. Results of several meta-analyses and other studies reported at the Symposium provide new insights into the mortality risk, metabolic complications, infection risk and pulmonary effects associated with the use of these important agents; preliminary data on the comparative adverse event profiles of these agents were also reported.