We genetically dissect the contribution of the most prominent downstream translational components of mTOR signaling toward Akt-driven lymphomagenesis. While phosphorylation of rpS6 is dispensable for cancer formation, 4EBP-eIF4E exerts significant control over cap-dependent translation, cell growth, cancer initiation, and progression. This effect is mediated at least in part through 4EBP-dependent control of Mcl-1 expression, a key antiapoptotic protein. By using an active site inhibitor of mTOR, PP242, we show a marked therapeutic response in rapamycin-resistant tumors. The therapeutic benefit of PP242 is mediated through inhibition of mTORC1-dependent 4EBP-eIF4E hyperactivation. Thus, the 4EBP-eIF4E axis downstream of mTOR is a druggable mediator of translational control and Akt-mediated tumorigenesis that has important implications for the treatment of human cancers. ► PI3K-Akt-mTOR-dependent increases in translation are necessary for tumorigenesis ► 4EBPs, not rpS6, are mTORC1 downstream mediators of T cell lymphomagenesis ► eIF4E regulates Mcl-1 translation downstream of Akt hyperactivation ► PP242 elicits response in rapamyacin-resistant tumors by targeting 4EBP1-eIF4E