RapaLink-1 / University of California, Revolution Medicines - LARVOL DELTA

Bitopic inhibitors of mTORC1 cooperate with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase to drive cytotoxicity in glioblastoma. (SNO 2025) - "We previously described RapaLink-1, a bisteric mTORC1 inhibitor that links the allosteric mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin to the mTOR kinase inhibitor sapanisertib...Like trametinib, the MEK inhibitor selumetinib similarly cooperated with RMC-6272 to block proliferation and increase apoptosis in isogenic T98G glioblastoma lines knocked-down for NF1 compared to NF1 wild-type T98G cells...Combining RMC-6272, trametinib and the autophagy ULK1 tool inhibitor MRT68921 augmented apoptosis compared to RMC-6272 and trametinib alone...We conclude that bitopic inhibitors of mTORC1 cooperate with inhibitors of MEK to drive cytotoxicity in both NF1WT and NF1MT glioblastoma. Combining RMC-5552 and trametinib represents a translatable strategy to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma."

Brain Cancer • Glioblastoma • Solid Tumor • NF1

Bitopic inhibitors of mTORC1 cooperate with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase to drive cytotoxicity in glioblastoma. (WFNOS 2025) - "We previously described RapaLink-1, a bisteric mTORC1 inhibitor that links the allosteric mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin to the mTOR kinase inhibitor sapanisertib...Like trametinib, the MEK inhibitor selumetinib similarly cooperated with RMC-6272 to block proliferation and increase apoptosis in isogenic T98G glioblastoma lines knocked-down for NF1 compared to NF1 wild-type T98G cells...Combining RMC-6272, trametinib and the autophagy ULK1 tool inhibitor MRT68921 augmented apoptosis compared to RMC-6272 and trametinib alone...We conclude that bitopic inhibitors of mTORC1 cooperate with inhibitors of MEK to drive cytotoxicity in both NF1WT and NF1MT glioblastoma. Combining RMC-5552 and trametinib represents a translatable strategy to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma."

Brain Cancer • Glioblastoma • Solid Tumor • NF1

Aging influences nucleolar responses to traumatic brain injury in Drosophila. (PubMed, PLoS One) - "Consistent with this, mortality at 24 hours post-injury in young flies was significantly reduced by pharmacological inhibition of TOR with rapamycin or RapaLink-1, indicating that nucleolar enlargement contributes to TBI-induced damage. Overall, our results suggest that TBI accelerates the aging-associated increase in nucleolar size, implicating elevated ribosome biogenesis in TBI pathogenesis and highlighting TOR inhibition as a promising therapeutic approach."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Vascular Neurology • FBL

mTOR/HIF-1α-associated scleral metabolic reprogramming by Mingshi formula in form-deprivation myopia. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "The guinea pigs were divided into the normal control group (NC), FDM group, Mingshi Formula low-dose group (FDM + Low), medium-dose group (FDM + Medium), high-dose group (FDM + High), and MTOR inhibitor group (FDM + RapaLink-1)...The results demonstrated that the Mingshi Formula significantly decreased myopic refractive error and axial length (p < 0.01), increased choroidal thickness (p < 0.05), downregulated the gene and protein expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, HIF-1α, LDHA, PKM2, MMP2, and α-SMA in response to hypoxia, and upregulated the expression of Collagen I compared to the FDM group. We demonstrated that MingShi formula modulates the mTOR/HIF-1α signaling axis to ameliorate scleral hypoxic metabolic homeostasis, regulate Collagen synthesis, inhibit aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling, and ultimately delay myopia progression."

Journal • Ophthalmology • HIF1A • LDHA • MMP2 • PKM

Rapalink-1 reveals TOR-dependent genes and an agmatinergic axis-based metabolic feedback regulating TOR activity and lifespan in fission yeast. (PubMed, Commun Biol) - "The Target of Rapamycin, TOR, is a conserved signalling pathway with characterised chemical inhibitors such as rapamycin and torin1. Genetic interactome assays for the agmatinase agm1 and further cell and molecular analyses demonstrate that impairing the agmatinergic branch of arginine catabolism results in TOR activity levels that are beneficial for growth but detrimental for chronological ageing. Our study reveals the anti-ageing action of agmatinases within a metabolic circuit that regulates TOR activity, protein translation levels and lifespan."

Journal

The role of everolimus in malignant bone tumor therapy: Molecular mechanisms, preclinical evidence, and advances in clinical applications. (PubMed, Oncol Rev) - "Everolimus (EVR), a rapamycin-derived mTORC1 inhibitor, demonstrates multifaceted antitumor effects in osteosarcoma by suppressing protein synthesis, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis. Preclinical studies highlight EVR's synergistic potential with targeted agents (e.g., sorafenib, zoledronic acid), chemotherapy (e.g., doxorubicin), and proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib), achieving >50% tumor volume reduction and metastasis suppression in xenograft models through dual mTORC1/2 blockade, stress-apoptosis activation, and microenvironment remodeling...Future strategies emphasize bone-targeted nanoparticle delivery systems, dual-target inhibitors (e.g., RapaLink-1), and dynamic multi-omics predictive models to optimize EVR's precision. By integrating organoid platforms, AI-driven drug screening, and international trials, EVR is poised to evolve from a broad-spectrum agent into a molecularly guided therapeutic hub, bridging..."

IO biomarker • Journal • Preclinical • Review • Oncology • Osteosarcoma • Sarcoma • Solid Tumor

A bitopic mTORC inhibitor reverses phenotypes in a tuberous sclerosis complex model. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "Rapalink-1 is a bitopic inhibitor that links rapamycin to a second-generation mTOR ATP competitive inhibitor, MLN0128. Rapalink-1 inhibited the mTORC1 pathway, decreased cell size, reduced neuron dendrite arbors, and reduced hamartoma size. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that cellular phenotypes in a TSC SEGA model are reversed by Rapalink-1 which may be useful to resolve TSC brain hamartomas."

Journal • Astrocytoma • Brain Cancer • CNS Disorders • Developmental Disorders • Oncology • Psychiatry • Solid Tumor • Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma

CD36-mediated endocytosis of proteolysis-targeting chimeras. (PubMed, Cell) - "Here, using biotinylated chemical-probe-based target fishing and genetic knockdown/knockin approaches, we discovered that the membrane cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) binds to and facilitates the uptake and efficacy of diverse PROTACs (e.g., SIM1-Me, MZ1, and clinical ARV-110) and large and/or polar small-molecule drugs (e.g., rapalink-1, rapamycin, navitoclax, birinapant, tubacin, and doxorubicin) via the CD36-mediated early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1)/Ras-related protein 5A (Rab5) endosomal cascade in vitro and/or in vivo. We then devised a novel chemical endocytic medicinal chemistry strategy to improve binding of PROTACs to CD36 using structural modifications via the prodrug approach, markedly enhancing PROTAC anti-tumor efficacy through spontaneously augmenting permeability and solubility."

Journal • Oncology • Targeted Protein Degradation • CD36 • RAB5A • SCARB1

mTOR Inhibitor Rapalink-1 Prevents Ethanol-Induced Senescence in Endothelial Cells. (PubMed, Cells) - "Rapalink-1 also reduced the relative protein expression of MMP-2. In summary, Rapalink-1 prevented senescence, inhibited pro-inflammatory pathway activation, and ameliorated pro-inflammatory molecule expression and MMP-2."

Journal • Cardiovascular • Inflammation • CDKN1A • CXCL8 • ICAM1 • MMP2 • TIMP2

RapaLink-1 outperforms rapamycin in alleviating allogeneic graft rejection by inhibiting the mTORC1-4E-BP1 pathway in mice. (PubMed, Int Immunopharmacol) - "Mechanistically, the ameliorated rejection induced by RapaLink-1 is associated with a reduction in p-4E-BP1 in T cells, resulting in an elevation in Treg cells alongside a decline in Th1 and Th17 cells. For the first time, these studies demonstrate the effectiveness of third-generation mTOR inhibitors in inhibiting allograft rejection, highlighting the potential of this novel class of mTOR inhibitors for further investigation."

Journal • Preclinical • Transplant Rejection • Transplantation • EIF4EBP1

In Vitro Delivery of mTOR inhibitors by Kidney-Targeted Micelles for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. (PubMed, SLAS Technol) - "However, mTOR inhibitors, including rapamycin, everolimus, and RapaLink-1, have off-target side effects including immunosuppression. These results indicate that PAM encapsulation is a promising way to deliver mTOR inhibitors to CCD cells and potentially treat ADPKD. Future studies will evaluate the therapeutic effect of PAM-drug formulations and ability to prevent off-target side effects associated with mTOR inhibitors in mouse models of ADPKD."

Journal • Preclinical • Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease • Chronic Kidney Disease • Genetic Disorders • Nephrology • Polycystic Kidney Disease • Renal Disease

eIF4A1 Is a Prognostic Marker and Actionable Target in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. (PubMed, Int J Mol Sci) - "Significantly, anti-growth effects were achieved at nanomolar concentrations of the eIF4A1 inhibitors and were further increased by the simultaneous administration of the pan mTOR inhibitor, Rapalink-1. In conclusion, our results highlight the pathogenetic relevance of eIF4A1 in HCC and recommend further evaluation of the potential usefulness of pharmacological combinations based on eIF4A and mTOR inhibitors in treating this aggressive tumor."

Biomarker • Journal • Gastrointestinal Cancer • Hepatocellular Cancer • Hepatology • Liver Cancer • Oncology • Solid Tumor • Transplantation • EIF4A1

IFITM proteins assist cellular uptake of diverse linked chemotypes. (PubMed, Science) - "Using complementary genome-scale chemical-genetic approaches we identified an endogenous chemical uptake pathway involving interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) that modulates the cell permeability of a prototypical biopic inhibitor of MTOR (RapaLink-1, MW: 1784 g/mol). We devised additional linked inhibitors targeting BCR-ABL1 (DasatiLink-1, MW: 1518 g/mol) and EIF4A1 (BisRoc-1, MW: 1466 g/mol), uptake of which was facilitated by IFITMs. We also found that IFITMs moderately assisted some proteolysis-targeting chimeras and examined the physicochemical requirements for involvement of this uptake pathway."

Journal • Targeted Protein Degradation • ABL1 • BCR • EIF4A1

Brain-restricted mTOR inhibition with binary pharmacology. (PubMed, Nature) - "Here we report a strategy to achieve inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) while sparing mTOR activity elsewhere through the use of the brain-permeable mTOR inhibitor RapaLink-1 and the brain-impermeable FKBP12 ligand RapaBlock...We further present a general method to design cell-permeable, FKBP12-dependent kinase inhibitors from known drug scaffolds. These inhibitors are sensitive to deactivation by RapaBlock, enabling the brain-restricted inhibition of their respective kinase targets."

Journal • Brain Cancer • CNS Disorders • Glioblastoma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

mTORC1 and mTORC2 Complexes Regulate the Untargeted Metabolomics and Amino Acid Metabolites Profile through Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Functions in Pancreatic Beta Cells. (PubMed, Nutrients) - "Dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibition by RapaLink-1 and Torin-2 differentially altered the amino acid profile and decreased mitochondrial respiration compared to rapamycin treatment which only blocks the FRB domain on mTOR. Third-generation mTOR inhibitors may alter the mitochondrial dynamics and reveal a bioenergetics profile that could be targeted to reduce mitochondrial stress."

Journal

AR and mTOR signaling regulates tumor growth and survival in vivo in advanced prostate cancer models (EACR 2022) - "We treated both models in vivo and in vitro with combinations of ADT and Rapalink-1; a new generation mTOR inhibitor, to evaluate the effect of combined AR and mTOR signaling blockade on PCa tumor growth and cytological characteristics...Conclusion While the hormone-sensitive BM18 model requires both AR and mTOR signaling for growing, growth of the CRPC model LAPC9 requires only one of the two pathways to be active. mTOR blockade moreover had an impact on AR signaling, as evidenced by altered AR localization in treated samples."

Preclinical • Genito-urinary Cancer • Oncology • Prostate Cancer • Solid Tumor • CD44

First, second, and third generation mTOR pathways inhibitors for treatment of glioblastoma (AACR 2022) - "These results suggested that RAPA, Torin1, Torin2, and Rapalink-1, but not XL388, are useful in suppressing the mTORC1 and mTORC2 activities, thereby inhibiting GB cell proliferation, dissemination, and inhibiting stem cell self-renewal. Therefore, the use of these mTOR inhibitors presents a promising treatment strategy for Glioblastoma."

Brain Cancer • Glioblastoma • Oncology • Solid Tumor • AKT1S1 • EIF4EBP1 • NES • PTEN

Disentangling the signaling pathways of mTOR complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma. (PubMed, Adv Biol Regul) - "Since rapamycin and it's analogue are less effective in treatment of GB, we used novel ATP-competitive dual inhibitors of mTORC1 and mTORC2, namely, Torin1, Torin2, and XL388. In addition, formulation of third generation mTOR inhibitor "Rapalink-1" may provide new aspects to target mTOR pathways. Numerous inhibitors are currently being used in clinical trials that are aimed to target activated mTOR pathways."

Journal • Review • Brain Cancer • Glioblastoma • Oncology • Solid Tumor • AKT1S1 • EIF4EBP1 • PTEN

[VIRTUAL] Rapalink-1 Increased Infarct Size And Blood-brain Barrier Disruption In Early Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion (ASA 2021) - "MethodsMiddle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in rats under isoflurane anesthesia with controlled ventilation. ConclusionOur data demonstrate that inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 by Rapalink-1 increased the size of the cortical infarct in the ischemic-reperfused cortex with an increase in BBB disruption. Our data suggest that dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 could aggravate neuronal damage in the very early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion which is within the thrombolysis therapy time window and that increased BBB disruption could be one of the contributing factors."

Anesthesia • Ischemic stroke • Reperfusion Injury • MMP2

Rapalink-1 Increased Infarct Size And Blood-brain Barrier Disruption In Early Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion (ASA 2021) - "MethodsMiddle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in rats under isoflurane anesthesia with controlled ventilation. ConclusionOur data demonstrate that inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 by Rapalink-1 increased the size of the cortical infarct in the ischemic-reperfused cortex with an increase in BBB disruption. Our data suggest that dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 could aggravate neuronal damage in the very early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion which is within the thrombolysis therapy time window and that increased BBB disruption could be one of the contributing factors."

Anesthesia • Ischemic stroke • Reperfusion Injury • MMP2

Commentary: Rapalink-1 Increased Infarct Size in Early Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion With Increased Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption. (PubMed, Front Physiol) - No abstract available

Journal • Cardiovascular • Reperfusion Injury

Rapalink-1 and Hydroxychloroquine Exhibit an Additive Effect in Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma by Inducing Apoptosis. (PubMed, Anticancer Res) - "Combined treatment with Rapalink-1 and hydroxychloroquine may be used as a potential therapeutic agent against UPS."

Journal • Oncology • Sarcoma • Solid Tumor • Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma

CONSEQUENCES OF mTOR INHIBITION ON AAV HEPATIC TRANSDUCTION EFFICACY. (PubMed, Hum Gene Ther) - "In this study, we explored the results of AAV hepatic transduction when different mTOR inhibitors.- rapamycin, MLN0128, RapaLink-1 -were used in preconditioned juvenile and adult mice. Therefore, our results show a complex interaction between the mTOR pathway and AAV-mediated hepatic transduction and indicate that mTOR inhibition is not a straightforward strategy for improving AAV transduction. More studies are necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involve in the positive and negative effects of mTOR inhibitors on AAV transduction efficiency."

Clinical • Journal

Rapalink-1 Increased Infarct Size in Early Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion With Increased Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption. (PubMed, Front Physiol) - "The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in rats under isoflurane anesthesia with controlled ventilation. The MMP2 level was increased suggesting that BBB disruption could be aggravated by Rapalink-1. Taken together, our data suggest that inhibiting both mTORC1 and mTORC2 by Rapalink-1 could worsen the neuronal damage in the early stage of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and that the aggravation of BBB disruption could be one of the contributing factors."

Journal • Anesthesia • Reperfusion Injury • MMP2

Brain-specific inhibition of mTORC1 eliminates side effects resulting from mTORC1 blockade in the periphery and reduces alcohol intake in mice. (PubMed, Nat Commun) - "RapaBlock also prevented the adverse side effects produced by chronic inhibition of mTORC1. Importantly, co-administration of RapaLink-1 and RapaBlock inhibited alcohol-dependent mTORC1 activation in the nucleus accumbens and attenuated alcohol seeking and drinking."

Adverse events • Journal • Preclinical • Addiction (Opioid and Alcohol)