Advances in breast cancer therapy: “Exploring the therapeutic potential of CDK 4/6 inhibitors and their clinical impact.”

Abstract

One of the most common malignancies diagnosed globally is breast cancer, a condition that is impacted by both environmental and genetic causes, there are three distinct molecular subtypes of breast cancer: hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-positive (HER2+), and triple-negative (TNBC). About 70–75 % of instances of breast cancer are HR+, whereas 15–25 % of cases are HER2+ tumours, which can be successfully treated with targeted therapy. TNBC poses specific treatment problems and is linked to an increased risk of early recurrence because it lacks expression of ER, PR, and HER2. With the discovery of Inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), such as ribociclib, palbociclib, and abemaciclib, the treatment of advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer has shifted. These drugs are essential for arresting the cell cycle and limiting tumour growth. These inhibitors particularly target the cell cycle development from the G1 to the S phase, which is frequently dysregulated in breast cancer. CDK4/6 inhibitors' full potential is still being investigated, including the way they might be applied to various breast cancer subtypes and in conjunction with other treatments.

This review comprehensively examines the utilization strategies of CDK 4/6 inhibitors across various breast cancer subtypes, explores the mechanism of resistance, and highlights potential applications in combination with other treatments. Through a detailed analysis of clinical trials and real-world data, The review highlights how CDK4/6 inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment landscape for breast cancer, paving the way for optimized treatment outcomes.