Mammalian Target of Rapamycin - MTOR Inhibitors As Therapies

MTOR Inhibitors As Therapies

mTOR inhibitors, e.g. rapamycin, are already used to prevent transplant rejection. Rapamycin is also related to the therapy of glycogen storage disease (GSD). Some articles reported that rapamycin can inhibit mTORC1 so that the phosphorylation of GS(glycogen synthase) can be increased in skeletal muscle. This discovery represents a potential novel therapeutic approach for glycogen storage diseases that involve glycogen accumulation in muscle. Various natural compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), caffeine, curcumin, and resveratrol, have also been reported to inhibit mTOR when applied to isolated cells in culture; however, there is as yet no evidence that these substances inhibit mTOR when taken as dietary supplements.

Some (e.g. temsirolimus, everolimus) are beginning to be used in the treatment of cancer. mTOR inhibitors may also be useful for treating several age-associated diseases. Ridaforolimus is another mTOR inhibitor, currently in clinical development.