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

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 10mg 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 0.218). No objective responses were noted. Four patients had a short-lasting subjective improvement in symptoms for a median duration of 3 months (range 315). Grade 13 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.