The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has a central role in cell activation, particularly in cells of the immune system. Discovery of the involvement of mTOR in the pathophysiology of several human disorders has led to the development of inhibitors and upstream regulators of this pathway to treat autoimmune and hyperproliferative pathologies — hallmarks of rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
