How Verzenio Works for Early Breast Cancer
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a targeted therapy that is used to treat certain types of early breast cancer. It is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6 inhibitor, which means that it blocks the activity of these enzymes that are involved in the growth and division of cancer cells.
Verzenio is specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (such as letrozole or anastrozole) in postmenopausal women. It is also approved for the treatment of HR+, HER2- early breast cancer in combination with endocrine therapy (such as letrozole or tamoxifen) in adults.
How Verzenio Works:
Verzenio works by targeting and blocking the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6. CDK4 and CDK6 are enzymes that play crucial roles in regulating the cell cycle, which is the process by which cells grow and divide. In cancer cells, CDK4 and CDK6 are often overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division.
By inhibiting CDK4 and CDK6, Verzenio helps to slow down or stop the growth and division of cancer cells. It does this by preventing the cells from progressing through certain checkpoints in the cell cycle, leading to cell cycle arrest and ultimately cell death.
Combination Therapy:
Verzenio is usually used in combination with other drugs to treat breast cancer. In early breast cancer, it is typically combined with endocrine therapy, which is a type of treatment that targets hormones that fuel the growth of breast cancer cells. Endocrine therapy can include drugs like letrozole (Femara) or tamoxifen.
By combining Verzenio with endocrine therapy, the goal is to block the growth-promoting effects of hormones on cancer cells and also inhibit the activity of CDK4 and CDK6, thereby achieving a more comprehensive and effective treatment approach.
Clinical Trials and Efficacy:
The approval of Verzenio for the treatment of early breast cancer was based on results from clinical trials that evaluated its efficacy and safety. These trials compared Verzenio plus endocrine therapy to endocrine therapy alone in patients with HR+, HER2- early breast cancer.
In one study, known as the MONARCH 2 trial, the combination of Verzenio and letrozole significantly reduced the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrence or death (invasive disease-free survival) by 25% compared to letrozole alone. Additionally, the combination therapy resulted in a significant improvement in overall survival.
Verzenio is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), and vomiting. However, it's important to note that individual responses to treatment may vary, and some people may experience different or more severe side effects.
Overall, Verzenio is a targeted therapy that has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of early breast cancer when combined with endocrine therapy. It works by inhibiting the activity of CDK4 and CDK6, thereby slowing down or stopping the growth and division of cancer cells. However, it's important to discuss the use of Verzenio and its potential benefits and risks with a healthcare professional before starting treatment.