Dr. Hamilton on the Exploration of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Breast Cancer

Erika P. Hamilton, MD, director of the Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Research Program and principal investigator at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses the exploration of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in HER2-positive breast cancer.

The exploration of CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer is very exciting, says Hamilton. The field has done a disservice, Hamilton explains, by classifying all patients with HER2-positive disease as HER2-positive and ignoring whether or not they're hormone receptor–positive. Over the past couple of years, there have been some exciting data with CDK4/6 inhibitors or aromatase inhibitors in combination with HER2 agents; this can be called de-escalation or the right-sized treatment for the right patient.

For a patient with estrogen receptor–positive disease, a hormonal backbone may make more sense than just using chemotherapy, concludes Hamilton.