Temsirolimus in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: an overview.

Treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has changed dramatically with the advent of targeted therapeutics. Temsirolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has proven beneficial in the treatment of advanced RCC with poor prognosis. The rationale for mTOR inhibitors in treatment of RCC, the pharmacokinetics and toxicities of temsirolimus, landmark clinical trials of temsirolimus in advanced RCC, and the indications for its use in the treatment of RCC are reviewed here. The status of temsirolimus in the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape of advanced RCC is also discussed.