Expert opinion on the metabolic complications of mTOR inhibitors

Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2018 Oct;79(5):583-590. doi: 10.1016/j.ando.2018.07.010. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Abstract

Using mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) as anticancer drugs led to hyperglycemia (12-50%) and hyperlipidemia (7-73%) in phase-III trials. These high rates require adapted treatment in cancer patients. Before initiating mTORi treatment, lipid profile screening should be systematic, with fasting glucose assay in non-diabetic patients and HbA1C in diabetic patients. After initiation, lipid profile monitoring should be systematic, with fasting glucose assay in non-diabetic patients, every 2 weeks for the first month and then monthly. The HbA1C target is≤8%, before and after treatment initiation in known diabetic patients and in case of onset of diabetes under mTORi. LDL-cholesterol targets should be adapted to general health status and cardiovascular and oncologic prognosis. If treatment is indicated, pravastatin should be prescribed in first line; atorvastatin and simvastatin are contraindicated. Fenofibrate should be prescribed for hypertriglyceridemia>5g/l resisting dietary measures adapted to oncologic status. In non-controllable hypertriglyceridemia exceeding 10g/l, mTORi treatment should be interrupted and specialist opinion should be sought.

Keywords: Diabetes; Diabète; Dyslipidemia; Dyslipidémie; Inhibiteurs mTOR; mTOR inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Consensus
  • Dyslipidemias / chemically induced
  • Dyslipidemias / epidemiology
  • Dyslipidemias / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / epidemiology
  • Hypoglycemia / therapy
  • Metabolic Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Metabolic Diseases / epidemiology
  • Metabolic Diseases / therapy
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases