Dr. Extermann on Selecting Among Available CDK4/6 Inhibitors in HR+ Breast Cancer

Martine Extermann, MD, PhD, professor of oncology and medicine, University of South Florida, and program leader, Senior Adult Oncology Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, shares advice for selecting among the CDK4/6 available for the treatment of patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive breast cancer.

Currently, 3 CDK4/6 inhibitors are FDA approved for use in this patient population: palbociclib (Ibrance), ribociclib (Kisqali), and abemaciclib (Verzenio). These agents have had a significant impact on the frontline treatment of patients with metastatic disease, and data from various studies suggest that they have a durable effect, Extermann adds.

Although there has been some debate with regard to survival benefit differences among these 3 agents, the consensus is that they are essentially equivalent in effectiveness, according to Extermann. However, the available CDK4/6 inhibitors do have different adverse effect profiles, and therefore, toxicity considerations should be used to inform treatment decisions for each patient, Extermann concludes.