Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
Published on: May 14, 2016
Targeting G1/S phase cell-cycle genomic alterations and accompanying co-alterations with individualized CDK4/6
Shumei Kato1, Ryosuke Okamura1, Jacob J Adashek2
1Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA.
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDAlthough CDK4/6 inhibitors are an established treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers, their benefit in other malignancies remains limited.METHODSWe investigated factors associated with clinical outcomes from CDK4/6 inhibitor-based therapy among patients with G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations (CDK4/6 amplifications, CCND1/2/3 amplifications, or CDKN2A/B alterations).RESULTSOverall, 2457 patients with diverse solid tumors that underwent clinical-grade, next-generation sequencing (182-465 genes) and therapy outcome of (non-breast cancer) patients treated with matched CDK4/6 inhibitors were analyzed. G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations occurred in 20.6% (507 of 2457) of patients; 99% of those patients (n = 501) harbored ≥1 characterized co-alteration (median, 4; range, 0-24). In 40 patients with G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations given CDK4/6 inhibitors as part of their regimen, significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS) was observed when CDK4/6 inhibitor-based therapies matched a larger proportion of tumor alterations, often because CDK4/6 inhibitors were administered together with other drugs that were matched to genomic co-alterations, hence achieving a high matching score (high vs. low [≥50% vs. <50%] matching score, PFS, 6.2 vs. 2.0 months, P < 0.001 [n = 40] [multivariate]) and higher rate of stable disease ≥6 months or an objective response (57% vs. 21%, P = 0.048).CONCLUSIONIn summary, in cell-cycle-altered cancers, matched CDK4/6 inhibitors, as part of an individualized regimen targeting a majority of genomic alterations, was independently associated with longer PFS.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT02478931.FUNDINGJoan and Irwin Jacobs Fund, National Cancer Institute (P30 CA023100, R01 CA226803), and the FDA (R01 FD006334).
Insights
Targeting cell-cycle alterations with CDK4/6 inhibitors and other matched therapies improved outcomes in non-breast cancer patients. A higher proportion of matched genomic alterations correlated with longer progression-free survival and better response rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- CDK4/6 inhibitors are standard for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
- Their efficacy in other cancers with cell-cycle alterations is limited.
- G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations are potential targets for CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing clinical outcomes in patients with G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors.
- To determine the association between genomic alterations matching and patient response.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2457 diverse solid tumor patients undergoing next-generation sequencing.
- Focus on 40 patients with G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors.
- Correlation of genomic matching score with progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response.
Main Results:
- G1/S phase cell-cycle alterations were found in 20.6% of patients.
- Patients with a high genomic matching score (≥50%) had significantly longer PFS (6.2 vs. 2.0 months) and higher response rates (57% vs. 21%).
- Matched CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy, as part of a regimen targeting most genomic alterations, was independently linked to longer PFS.
Conclusions:
- Individualized therapy regimens targeting a majority of genomic alterations, including CDK4/6 inhibitors for cell-cycle altered cancers, are associated with improved PFS.
- Genomic matching is a critical factor for CDK4/6 inhibitor efficacy beyond breast cancer.
- Further research into CDK4/6 inhibitor utility in diverse solid tumors with specific genomic profiles is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
The Cell Cycle Control System
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...
The Cell Cycle Control System

