A novel CDK4 inhibitor for myeloid protection in chemotherapy-treated triple-negative breast Cancer

Despite advances in cancer treatment, chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of clinical practice. However, its efficacy is often compromised by dose-limiting haematologic toxicities. Recent strategies aim to enhance chemotherapy tolerability while preserving its effectiveness. One emerging approach involves selective CDK4 inhibitors to serve as myeloid-protective agents in retinoblastoma (RB)-negative tumours, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Because bone marrow (BM) cells rely on RB for proliferation, CDK4 inhibitors may protect these cells while sparing RB-deficient tumour cells. The present study investigated the potential of AU2-94, a first-in-class CDK4 inhibitor, to protect BM cells during myelosuppressive chemotherapy in TNBC, beyond its established application in RB-positive cancers.

This study employed in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments to evaluate the myeloid-protective effects of AU2-94 against chemotherapy-induced damage.

AU2-94 induced a transient G1 arrest that protects BM cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis by preventing DNA double-strand breaks. Pre-treatment with AU2-94 prior to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administration reduced BM cells apoptosis, preserved Ki67-positive cells, and mitigated declines in red blood cells and neutrophils. Similarly, AU2-94 pre-treatment before cisplatin administration reduced cisplatin-induced haematologic toxicity in RB-deficient TNBC bearing mice without compromising the efficacy of chemotherapy.

These findings support the repurposing of AU2-94 as a myeloprotective agent, highlighting its therapeutic potential in RB-deficient tumours. With AU2-94 advancing to clinical trials, these results underscore its broader therapeutic promise, extending to both RB-positive and RB-negative cancer treatment.