Targeting CDK4 and 6 in Cancer Therapy: Emerging Preclinical Insights Related to Abemaciclib
- Author(s)
- Wander, SA; O'Brien, N; Litchfield, LM; O'Dea, D; Morato Guimaraes, C; Slamon, DJ; Goel, S;
- Details
- Publication Year 2022-10,Volume 27,Issue #10,Page 811-821
- Journal Title
- Oncologist
- Publication Type
- Review
- Abstract
- Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and 6) are approved for the treatment of subsets of patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC). In metastatic disease, strategies involving endocrine therapy combined with CDK4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4 and 6i) improve clinical outcomes in HR+ BCs. CDK4 and 6i prevent retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein phosphorylation, thereby blocking the transcription of E2F target genes, which in turn inhibits both mitogen and estrogen-mediated cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize preclinical data pertaining to the use of CDK4 and 6i in BC, with a particular focus on several of the unique chemical, pharmacologic, and mechanistic properties of abemaciclib. As research efforts elucidate the novel mechanisms underlying abemaciclib activity, potential new applications are being identified. For example, preclinical studies have demonstrated abemaciclib can exert antitumor activity against multiple tumor types and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Abemaciclib has also demonstrated distinct activity as a monotherapeutic in the treatment of BC. Accordingly, we also discuss how a greater understanding of mechanisms related to CDK4 and 6 blockade highlight abemaciclib's unique in-class properties, and could pave new avenues for enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.
- Keywords
- Aminopyridines/pharmacology/therapeutic use; Benzimidazoles; *Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; Estrogens; Female; Humans; *Mitogens/therapeutic use; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology/therapeutic use; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; CDK4 and 6; abemaciclib; antitumor; breast neoplasms; preclinical
- Department(s)
- Medical Oncology; Laboratory Research
- PubMed ID
- 35917168
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyac138
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyac138- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2025-05-09 03:13:08
Last Modified: 2025-05-09 03:13:54