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Oncotarget Apr 2023Rapamycin (sirolimus) and other rapalogs (everolimus) are anti-cancer and anti-aging drugs, which delay cancer by directly targeting pre-cancerous cells and, indirectly,...
Rapamycin (sirolimus) and other rapalogs (everolimus) are anti-cancer and anti-aging drugs, which delay cancer by directly targeting pre-cancerous cells and, indirectly, by slowing down organism aging. Cancer is an age-related disease and, figuratively, by slowing down time (and aging), rapamycin may delay cancer. In several dozen murine models, rapamycin robustly and reproducibly prevents cancer. Rapamycin slows cell proliferation and tumor progression, thus delaying the onset of cancer in carcinogen-treated, genetically cancer-prone and normal mice. Data on the use of rapamycin and everolimus in organ-transplant patients are consistent with their cancer-preventive effects. Treatment with rapamycin was proposed to prevent lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. Clinical trials in high-risk populations are warranted.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Sirolimus; Everolimus; Aging; Carcinogens; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 37057884
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28410 -
European Archives of... Aug 2022Children with extensive lymphatic malformations of the head and neck often suffer from functional impairment and aesthetic deformity which significantly affect the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Children with extensive lymphatic malformations of the head and neck often suffer from functional impairment and aesthetic deformity which significantly affect the quality of life and may be life-threatening. Treatment with sirolimus has the potential to improve symptoms and downsize lymphatic malformations. This systematic review summarizes the current information about sirolimus treatment of lymphatic malformations of the head and neck in children, its efficacy and side effects.
METHODS
A systematic search of the literature regarding studies on sirolimus treatment of children with lymphatic malformations of the head and neck was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar up to July 2021 with the search terms "lymphatic malformation", "lymphangioma", "cystic hygroma", "low-flow malformation", "sirolimus", "rapamycin", "mTOR inhibitor" and "children".
RESULTS
In all, 28 studies including 105 children from newborn to 17 years treated with sirolimus for lymphatic malformations of the head and neck were analyzed. The most frequent initial dose was 0.8 mg/m per dose, twice daily at 12-h interval. The target blood level differed between studies, 10-15 ng/mL and 5-15 ng/mL were most often used. More than 91% of the children responded to sirolimus treatment which lasts from 6 months to 4 years. Typical side effects were hyperlipidemia, neutropenia and infections.
METHODS
Sirolimus could be an effective treatment for children with large complicated lymphatic malformations of the head and neck. As not all patients will benefit from treatment, the decision to treat sirolimus should be made by a multidisciplinary team.
Topics: Head; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lymphatic Abnormalities; Neck; Quality of Life; Sirolimus; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Malformations
PubMed: 35526176
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07378-8 -
GeroScience Jun 2021In 2009, rapamycin was reported to increase the lifespan of mice when implemented later in life. This observation resulted in a sea-change in how researchers viewed... (Review)
Review
In 2009, rapamycin was reported to increase the lifespan of mice when implemented later in life. This observation resulted in a sea-change in how researchers viewed aging. This was the first evidence that a pharmacological agent could have an impact on aging when administered later in life, i.e., an intervention that did not have to be implemented early in life before the negative impact of aging. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the number of reports studying the effect of rapamycin on various diseases, physiological functions, and biochemical processes in mice. In this review, we focus on those areas in which there is strong evidence for rapamycin's effect on aging and age-related diseases in mice, e.g., lifespan, cardiac disease/function, central nervous system, immune system, and cell senescence. We conclude that it is time that pre-clinical studies be focused on taking rapamycin to the clinic, e.g., as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Longevity; Mice; Sirolimus
PubMed: 33037985
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00274-1 -
Aging Oct 2019From the dawn of civilization, humanity has dreamed of immortality. So why didn't the discovery of the anti-aging properties of mTOR inhibitors change the world forever?...
From the dawn of civilization, humanity has dreamed of immortality. So why didn't the discovery of the anti-aging properties of mTOR inhibitors change the world forever? I will discuss several reasons, including fear of the actual and fictional side effects of rapamycin, everolimus and other clinically-approved drugs, arguing that no real side effects preclude their use as anti-aging drugs today. Furthermore, the alternative to the reversible (and avoidable) side effects of rapamycin/everolimus are the irreversible (and inevitable) effects of aging: cancer, stroke, infarction, blindness and premature death. I will also discuss why it is more dangerous not to use anti-aging drugs than to use them and how rapamycin-based drug combinations have already been implemented for potential life extension in humans. If you read this article from the very beginning to its end, you may realize that the time is now.
Topics: Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Longevity; Sirolimus
PubMed: 31586989
DOI: 10.18632/aging.102355 -
GeroScience Oct 2023Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an FDA-approved drug with immune-modulating and growth-inhibitory properties. Preclinical studies have shown that rapamycin extends lifespan and...
Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an FDA-approved drug with immune-modulating and growth-inhibitory properties. Preclinical studies have shown that rapamycin extends lifespan and healthspan metrics in yeast, invertebrates, and rodents. Several physicians are now prescribing rapamycin off-label as a preventative therapy to maintain healthspan. Thus far, however, there is limited data available on side effects or efficacy associated with use of rapamycin in this context. To begin to address this gap in knowledge, we collected data from 333 adults with a history of off-label use of rapamycin by survey. Similar data were also collected from 172 adults who had never used rapamycin. Here, we describe the general characteristics of a patient cohort using off-label rapamycin and present initial evidence that rapamycin can be used safely in adults of normal health status.
Topics: Humans; Sirolimus; Off-Label Use; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Longevity
PubMed: 37191826
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00818-1 -
Oncotarget May 2017Inhibitors of mTOR, including clinically available rapalogs such as rapamycin (Sirolimus) and Everolimus, are gerosuppressants, which suppress cellular senescence.... (Review)
Review
Inhibitors of mTOR, including clinically available rapalogs such as rapamycin (Sirolimus) and Everolimus, are gerosuppressants, which suppress cellular senescence. Rapamycin slows aging and extends life span in a variety of species from worm to mammals. Rapalogs can prevent age-related diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, neurodegeneration and retinopathy and potentially rejuvenate stem cells, immunity and metabolism. Here, I further suggest how rapamycin can be combined with metformin, inhibitors of angiotensin II signaling (Losartan, Lisinopril), statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin), propranolol, aspirin and a PDE5 inhibitor. Rational combinations of these drugs with physical exercise and an anti-aging diet (Koschei formula) can maximize their anti-aging effects and decrease side effects.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Cellular Senescence; Disease Susceptibility; Drug Discovery; Humans; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 28548953
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18033 -
Drugs in R&D 2010Ridaforolimus (AP23573; MK 8669) is an analog of sirolimus and a small molecule inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin for the treatment of cancer. Both... (Review)
Review
Ridaforolimus (AP23573; MK 8669) is an analog of sirolimus and a small molecule inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin for the treatment of cancer. Both intravenous and oral formulations of the compound are being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas. It is in phase III development for sarcoma in the EU and US, and phase II for breast cancer, endometrial cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer in the US and other markets in the world. This review discusses the key development milestones and therapeutic trials of this drug.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Drugs, Investigational; Humans; Neoplasms; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 20945947
DOI: 10.2165/11586010-000000000-00000 -
European Archives of... Aug 2023This PRISMA-compliant systematic review aimed to assess risks and benefits of sirolimus treatment for paediatric lymphatic malformations by focusing not only on... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This PRISMA-compliant systematic review aimed to assess risks and benefits of sirolimus treatment for paediatric lymphatic malformations by focusing not only on treatment efficacy but also on possible treatment-related adverse events, and treatment combinations with other techniques.
METHODS
Search criteria were applied to MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases and included all studies published up to March 2022 reporting paediatric lymphatic malformations treated with sirolimus. We selected all original studies that included treatment outcomes. After the removal of duplicates, selection of abstracts and full-text articles, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for patient demographics, lymphatic malformation type, size or stage, site, clinical response rates, sirolimus administration route and dose, related adverse events, follow-up time, and concurrent treatments.
RESULTS
Among 153 unique citations, 19 studies were considered eligible, with reported treatment data for 97 paediatric patients. Most studies (n = 9) were case reports. Clinical response was described for 89 patients, in whom 94 mild-to-moderate adverse events were reported. The most frequently administered treatment regimen was oral sirolimus 0.8 mg/m twice a day, with the aim of achieving a blood concentration of 10-15 ng/mL.
CONCLUSION
Despite promising results for sirolimus treatment in lymphatic malformation, the efficacy and safety profile of remains unclear due to the lack of high-quality studies. Systematic reporting of known side effects, especially in younger children, should assist clinicians in minimising treatment-associated risks. At the same time, we advocate for prospective multicentre studies with minimum reporting standards to facilitate improved candidate selection.
Topics: Humans; Child; Sirolimus; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Neck; Head; Lymphatic Abnormalities; Vascular Malformations
PubMed: 37115326
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-07991-1 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Dec 2014The BOLERO-2 study previously demonstrated that adding everolimus (EVE) to exemestane (EXE) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) by more than twofold... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Everolimus plus exemestane for hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative advanced breast cancer: overall survival results from BOLERO-2†.
BACKGROUND
The BOLERO-2 study previously demonstrated that adding everolimus (EVE) to exemestane (EXE) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) by more than twofold in patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR(+)), HER2-negative advanced breast cancer that recurred or progressed during/after treatment with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (NSAIs). The overall survival (OS) analysis is presented here.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
BOLERO-2 is a phase III, double-blind, randomized international trial comparing EVE 10 mg/day plus EXE 25 mg/day versus placebo (PBO) + EXE 25 mg/day in postmenopausal women with HR(+) advanced breast cancer with prior exposure to NSAIs. The primary end point was PFS by local investigator assessment; OS was a key secondary end point.
RESULTS
At the time of data cutoff (3 October 2013), 410 deaths had occurred and 13 patients remained on treatment. Median OS in patients receiving EVE + EXE was 31.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 28.0-34.6 months] compared with 26.6 months (95% CI 22.6-33.1 months) in patients receiving PBO + EXE (hazard ratio = 0.89; 95% CI 0.73-1.10; log-rank P = 0.14). Poststudy treatments were received by 84% of patients in the EVE + EXE arm versus 90% of patients in the PBO + EXE arm. Types of poststudy therapies were balanced across arms, except for chemotherapy (53% EVE + EXE versus 63% PBO + EXE). No new safety concerns were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
In BOLERO-2, adding EVE to EXE did not confer a statistically significant improvement in the secondary end point OS despite producing a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the primary end point, PFS (4.6-months prolongation in median PFS; P < 0.0001). Ongoing translational research should further refine the benefit of mTOR inhibition and related pathways in this treatment setting.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT00863655.
Topics: Androstadienes; Breast Neoplasms; Double-Blind Method; ErbB Receptors; Everolimus; Female; Humans; Placebos; Sirolimus; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 25231953
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdu456 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Oct 2023Sirolimus and everolimus have been widely used in children. These mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have shown excellent efficacy not only in organ...
Sirolimus and everolimus have been widely used in children. These mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have shown excellent efficacy not only in organ transplant patients as immunosuppressive agents but also in patients with some other diseases. However, whether mTOR inhibitors can affect the growth and development of children is of great concern. In this study, using zebrafish models, we discovered that sirolimus and everolimus could slow the development of zebrafish, affecting indicators such as survival, hatching, deformities, body length, and movement. In addition to these basic indicators, sirolimus and everolimus had certain slowing effects on the growth and development of the nervous system, blood vessels, and the immune system. These effects were dose dependent. When the drug concentration reached or exceeded 0.5 μM, the impacts of sirolimus and everolimus were very significant. More interestingly, the impact was transient. Over time, the various manifestations of experimental embryos gradually approached those of control embryos. We also compared the effects of sirolimus and everolimus on zebrafish, and we revealed that there was no significant difference between these drugs in terms of their effects. In summary, the dose of sirolimus and everolimus in children should be strictly controlled, and the drug concentration should be monitored over time. Otherwise, drug overdosing may have a certain impact on the growth and development of children.
Topics: Animals; Everolimus; Sirolimus; Zebrafish; Immunosuppressive Agents; Drug Overdose; Mammals
PubMed: 37659200
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115397