Disclosed are small molecule inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and methods of using them.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of reducing cytocidal activity of cells. In some embodiments, the method includes altering eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2K) in a subject and inducing a reduction of cytocidal activity of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in the subject. In some embodiments, the altering of eEF-2K in the subject can include a decrease of eEF-2K in the subject.