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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
Published on: May 3, 2018
Are all cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors created equal?
Antonio Marra1,2, Giuseppe Curigliano1,2
11Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
The harnessing in clinical practice of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors, namely palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, has substantially changed the therapeutic approach for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC). Phase II-III clinical trials evaluating the addition of these agents to standard endocrine therapy reported consistent improvements in response rates and progression-free survival as well as manageable toxicity profiles and excellent impact on patients' quality of life. Hence, pivotal trials provided comparable results among different cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors, there is an increasing interest in finding substantial differences in order to implement their use in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current evidences raised from preclinical and clinical studies on cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors in BC, focusing on differences in terms of pharmacological properties, toxicity profile, and patients' quality of life.
Insights
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors significantly improved outcomes for metastatic breast cancer. This review details their pharmacological properties, toxicity, and quality of life impacts to guide clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have transformed hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer treatment.
- Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib offer improved response rates and progression-free survival with standard endocrine therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer.
- Focus on pharmacological properties, toxicity, and quality of life differences.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of data from Phase II-III clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Consistent efficacy across CDK4/6 inhibitors reported in pivotal trials.
- Manageable toxicity profiles and positive impact on patient quality of life observed.
Conclusions:
- While effective, subtle differences between CDK4/6 inhibitors warrant further investigation.
- Understanding these differences can optimize clinical application in breast cancer therapy.
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