Experience with everolimus (RAD001), an oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in patients with systemic mastocytosis

Abstract

KIT D816V mutation has been observed in more than 90% of patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM). This mutation constitutively activates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We tested the efficacy of everolimus (RAD001), a novel oral mTOR inhibitor, at a dose of 10 mg daily in an open label, non-comparative Phase II trial for patients with SM. Ten patients were enrolled from April 2007 to October 2008. Median age was 55 years, four were males, seven had indolent and three aggressive SM, and six were previously treated with other agents. Median duration of therapy was 4 months (range 0.2–18). No objective responses were noted. Four patients had a short-lasting subjective improvement in symptoms for a median duration of 3 months (range 3–15). Grade 1–3 diarrhea, mucositis, and neutropenia were the most common adverse effects. No Grade 4 toxicity was noted. In conclusion, everolimus does not result in appreciable clinical activity in patients with SM.

Keywords:

• KIT mutation
• mTOR
• mast cell disease
• D816V mutation

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.