Gene

Coronavirus

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Cell biology

Sars virus

Biology

Viral replication

Virology

Signal transduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Outbreak

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Genetics

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Internal medicine

Discovery and development of mTOR inhibitors

Medicine

Virus

Disease

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Pathology

Journal of Medical Virology

In this commentary, we shed light on the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in viral infections. The mTOR pathway has been demonstrated to be modulated in numerous RNA viruses. Frequently, inhibiting mTOR results in suppression of virus growth and replication. Recent evidence points towards modulation of mTOR in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. We discuss the current literature on mTOR in SARS‐CoV‐2 and highlight evidence in support of a role for mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.

mTOR inhibition in COVID‐19: A commentary and review of efficacy in RNA viruses