Polycystic Kidney Disease: Literature Review on the Mechanism of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibitors in the Reduction of Cyst Growth in Patients with ADPKD and a Clinical Case Study

Abstract

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by a growth of multiple cysts in the kidney which, in most cases, culminates in end stage renal failure. A clinical case study was done to highlight the clinical manifestations and the progression of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). Currently there are no treatments or cures for PKD with the exception of dialysis and kidney transplantation for patients in kidney failure. Exploration of the role of PKD1 and PKD2 in cystogenesis had yielded potential treatment alternatives for ADPKD such as the use of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors to reduce cyst growth and preserve kidney function.