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CDK4/6 Inhibition in Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Response and Treatment Failure

Current Breast Cancer Reports volume 9, pages 26–33 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to describe the role of D-type cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6 in breast cancer and to discuss potential biomarkers for sensitivity or resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Recent findings

A small number of preclinical and clinical studies have explored potential mechanisms of CDK4/6 inhibitor response and resistance in breast cancer. Putative markers of response include estrogen receptor positivity, luminal patterns of gene expression, high cyclin D1 levels, and low p16 levels. Possible resistance mechanisms include loss of Rb function, overexpression/amplification of cyclin E, and CDK6 amplification. Most of these remain speculative and have not been validated in clinical specimens.

Summary

If early successes with CDK4/6 inhibitors are to be capitalized upon, it is critical that our understanding of CDK4/6 biology in breast cancer extends beyond its current rudimentary state. Only then, we will be able to develop rational therapeutic combinations that further enhance the efficacy of these agents.

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Fig. 1

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Career Development Award provided through the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center SPORE in Breast Cancer (NIH 2015 P50 CA) to Shom Goel.

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  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Ana C. Garrido-Castro & Shom Goel

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  1. Ana C. Garrido-Castro
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Correspondence to Shom Goel.

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Ana C. Garrido-Castro declares no conflict of interest.

Shom Goel has served as a paid scientific advisor to Eli Lilly and conducts laboratory research funded by Eli Lilly.

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Garrido-Castro, A.C., Goel, S. CDK4/6 Inhibition in Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Response and Treatment Failure. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 9, 26–33 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-017-0232-0

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Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • CDK4/6
  • Cyclin
  • Drug resistance
  • Estrogen receptor