Palbociclib (Ibrance, Pfizer), a new oral drug whose efficacy in
combating breast cancer has been demonstrated alone and in combination
with endocrine therapy, also has the potential to combat other types of
cancer, according to research conducted at the Abramson Cancer Center of
the University of Pennsylvania. The findings were published in JAMA Oncology.
Palbociclib targets the rapid division of tumor cells by inhibiting
the activity of the enzymes CDK4 and CDK6, which propel cell division in
most cancers. It is the first CDK4/6 inhibitor to be approved for the
treatment of breast cancer.
“This drug has minor effects on normal cells other than neutrophils,”
said senior author Peter J. O'Dwyer, MD. “In tumors, it can cause
shrinkage, or more commonly, arrest of growth. As we discover new
functions for the CDK4/6 target of this medicine, we are likely to use
it in combinations to make other anticancer agents work better.”
In addition to inhibiting the cell cycle, palbociclib has been shown,
for example, to alter several recently described non–cell-cycle
functions of CDK4/6, a finding expected to expand its therapeutic role,
O’Dwyer added.
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