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    J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 May;60(5):863-8.

    Significant response after treatment with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in metastatic melanoma patients.

    Meier F, Guenova E, Clasen S, Eigentler T, Forschner A, Leiter U, Zielinski C, Knaudt B, Garbe C, Berneburg M.

    Division of Dermatologic Oncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, Tübingen D-72076, Germany. friedegund.meier@med.uni-tuebingen.de

    Melanoma is highly resistant to chemotherapy. In melanoma, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway is constitutively activated through multiple mechanisms. Several experimental studies suggest that targeting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway is a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance. This is the first report describing a chemosensitizing effect of mTOR inhibition in patients with melanoma. We report two cases of patients with metastatic melanoma who showed significant remission after combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus. Our case report, together with the literature discussed, suggests that mTOR inhibition possibly enhances the sensitivity of melanoma cells to chemotherapy and should prompt in-depth and clinical investigation.

    PMID: 19389529 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Carboplatin (Paraplatin®)

      Your doctor has ordered the drug carboplatin to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein.

    • Sirolimus (Rapamune®)

      Sirolimus is used in combination with other medications to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. Sirolimus is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by suppressing the body's immune system.