CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Breast Cancer-Who Should Receive Them?

Authors

Anran Chen
Ze-Yi Zheng
Meenakshi Anurag
Ahmed Elkhanany
Natalie C Chen
Eric C Chang

Language

English

Publication Date

10-23-2025

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI

10.3390/ijms262110322

PMID

41226361

PMCID

PMC12610100

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-23-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

More than 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+). Endocrine therapy that blocks estrogen signaling remains the cornerstone of treatment, yet relapses continue to affect many patients. Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) regulate the G1-S phase transition in the cell cycle, and pharmacological inhibition of this pathway has been successfully leveraged to reduce recurrence. CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy are now the standard of care, although determining the optimal patient population for treatment remains a key challenge. A newly published study provides important insight, showing that loss of the NF1/neurofibromin tumor suppressor confers greater sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition, as these tumors rely heavily on CDK4/6 activity for survival under endocrine therapy.

Keywords

Humans, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4, Breast Neoplasms, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6, Female, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, RAS, RAF, estrogen receptor, CDK4/6, breast cancer, neurofibromatosis

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Chen, Anran; Zheng, Ze-Yi; Anurag, Meenakshi; et al., "CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Breast Cancer-Who Should Receive Them?" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 1907.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/1907