title: The Strange Case of CDK4/6 Inhibitors: Mechanisms, Resistance, and Combination Strategies.
abstract: CDK4/6 inhibitors have emerged as a powerful class of agents with clinical activity in a number of malignancies. Targeting the cell cycle represents a core attack on a defining feature of cancer. However, the mechanisms through which selective CDK4/6 targeted agents act has few parallels in the current pharmaceutical armamentarium against cancer. Notably, CDK4/6 inhibitors act downstream of most mitogenic signaling cascades, which have implications both related to clinical efficacy and resistance. Core knowledge of cell cycle processes has provided insights into mechanisms of intrinsic resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors; however, the basis of acquired resistance versus durable response is only beginning to emerge. This review focuses on the mechanism of action and biomarkers to direct the precision use of CDK4/6 inhibitors and rationally-developed combination therapies.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona Cancer Center; Department of Medicine, University of Arizona.
authors.forename: Erik S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona Cancer Center; Department of Medicine, University of Arizona; Department of Pathology, University of Arizona.
authors.forename: Agnieszka K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Witkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6
keywords: Breast Cancer; Cell Cycle; Cyclin D1; E2F; RB