This is a phase Ib trial of encapsulated rapamycin to determine safety, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and immunologic impact in patients with low risk prostate cancer under active surveillance. This new formulation, encapsulated rapamycin (sirolimus), provides a more predictable bioavailability of this drug than [the other formulation]. The encapsulated and targeted rapamycin (eRapa) can be delivered at a consistent and lower dosage, not only improving the toxicity profile but also capitalizing on the newly appreciated mechanism of partial and/or intermittent mTOR inhibition, making eRapa an ideal immuno-oncologic and chemopreventative agent. Low dose rapamycin has been shown to prevent cancer formation, progression, and/or recurrence in the majority of cancer histologies including the most prevalent: lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
This study is to determine the safety, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and immunologic impact of encapsulated rapamycin in patients with low risk prostate cancer under active surveillance. There will be four groups of patients, each receiving a different dose of rapamycin.