What are the brand names of CDK4/6 (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6) inhibitors used in breast cancer treatment?

From the Guidelines

The FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors for breast cancer treatment include Ibrance (palbociclib), Kisqali (ribociclib), and Verzenio (abemaciclib) 1. These medications are primarily used in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. They work by blocking cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, which prevents cancer cells from dividing and proliferating. Key points to consider when using these medications include:

• The dosing varies by medication: Ibrance is typically given as 125 mg once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off, Kisqali as 600 mg daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off, and Verzenio either as 150 mg twice daily continuously or 200 mg twice daily on days 1-14 of a 21-day cycle.
• Common side effects include neutropenia, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea, with Verzenio particularly associated with more gastrointestinal effects 1.
• Regular blood monitoring is essential during treatment with these medications to manage potential side effects effectively.
• The efficacy benefits of adding CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy were similar in younger and older women, but older patients (≥ 75 years) experienced more toxicity, including greater risks of fatigue, diarrhea, neutropenia, and hepatotoxicity 1.
• Clinicians and patients should be aware of the greater toxicity experience and greater risk of adverse impact on quality of life in older patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors, and factor that into decision making along with the documented improvement in PFS seen with this class of drugs among elderly patients with breast cancer. Some key considerations for treatment decisions include:
• Patient age and disease burden
• Disease-free interval and patient choice
• Treatment tolerance and other factors such as limited disease burden and long disease-free interval 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Palbociclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6. Abemaciclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6).

The CDK4/6 breast cancer treatment brand names are:

• IBRANCE (Palbociclib) 2
• VERZENIO (Abemaciclib) 3

From the Research

CDK4/6 Inhibitors for Breast Cancer Treatment

• The CDK4/6 inhibitors used for breast cancer treatment are palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib 4, 5, 6.
• These inhibitors are used in combination with endocrine therapy, such as aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or fulvestrant, for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer 4, 7, 8.
• Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib have been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer 4, 5, 6.

Brand Names and Treatment Options

• Palbociclib is used in combination with AIs, such as letrozole or anastrozole, for the treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer 7, 8.
• Ribociclib is used in combination with AIs, such as letrozole or anastrozole, for the treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer 7, 8.
• Abemaciclib is used in combination with AIs, such as anastrozole or letrozole, or as a single agent for the treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer 4, 6.

Efficacy and Safety

• The efficacy and safety of palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib have been evaluated in several clinical trials, including PALOMA-1,2,3, MONALEESA-1,2,3,7, and MONARCH-1,2,3 6.
• The results of these trials have shown that CDK4/6 inhibitors can improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer 4, 7, 8.
• The most common adverse events associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors are hematological toxicities, such as neutropenia, and gastrointestinal toxicities, such as diarrhea 4, 5, 6.