This module covers the safety and efficacy of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor temsirolimus in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Temsirolimus has demonstrated significant clinical activity, particularly in patients with poor-risk disease. The module will review key efficacy and safety data with temsirolimus, up to and including the randomized phase III trial of temsirolimus versus interferon-α versus the combination of the two agents in poor-risk patients with RCC. This pivotal trial demonstrated the superiority of temsirolimus over interferon-α in the first-line setting in these patients. Not only was temsirolimus more effective than interferon-α, but it was also associated with fewer grade 3/4 adverse events. The module will then review ongoing efforts to combine temsirolimus with other targeted agents to improve outcomes in patients with metastatic RCC. Finally, the module will outline current recommendations for the use of temsirolimus and suggestions for managing toxicities.





MODULE II
Slide Deck 7 Clinically Available Targeted Therapy: Temsirolimus
Michael B. Atkins, MD
Deputy Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Leader, Kidney Cancer Program
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

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