CDK4/6 Inhibition in Cancer: Beyond Cell Cycle Arrest

Trends Cell Biol. 2018 Nov;28(11):911-925. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.07.002. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Abstract

Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) have recently entered the therapeutic armamentarium of clinical oncologists, and show promising activity in patients with breast and other cancers. Although their chief mechanism of action is inhibition of retinoblastoma (RB) protein phosphorylation and thus the induction of cell cycle arrest, CDK4/6 inhibitors alter cancer cell biology in other ways that can also be leveraged for therapeutic benefit. These include modulation of mitogenic kinase signaling, induction of a senescence-like phenotype, and enhancement of cancer cell immunogenicity. We describe here the less-appreciated effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors on cancer cells, and suggest ways by which they might be exploited to enhance the benefits of these agents for cancer patients.

Keywords: CDK4/6; cell cycle; immunotherapy; targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints* / drug effects
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • CDK4 protein, human
  • CDK6 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6