Torisel approved by FDA for Kidney Cancer - temsirolimus

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given approval to the mTOR inhibitor Torisel® (temsirolimus) for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer.

Torisel, referred to as an mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin kinase), is one such targeted agent. It blocks the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting specific biological pathways that are involved in cellular replication and spread.

The clinical trial that prompted FDA approval of Torisel included 626 patients with metastatic RCC who had a poor prognosis and had not received prior therapy.

Patients were treated with either Torisel, interferon alfa, or a combination of Torisel plus interferon alfa (combination group).