Temsirolimus (Torisel, CCI-779)

Temsirolimus (brand name Torisel, previously called CCI-779) is an inhibitor of mTOR that is FDA-approved for renal cell carcinoma, and it could therefore be prescribed off-label for other cancers at the discretion of a physician.  Its use for other cancers is being investigated in clinical trials.

NCI Drug Dictionary definition: temsirolimus — an ester analog of rapamycin. Temsirolimus binds to and inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), resulting in decreased expression of mRNAs necessary for cell cycle progression and arresting cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase which plays a role in the PI3K/AKT pathway that is upregulated in some tumors.

Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.torisel.com/

Temsirolimus was originally developed by Wyeth and has been acquired by Pfizer.

National Cancer Institute page on temsirolimus: link here