A narrative review about CDK4/6 inhibitors in the setting of drug resistance: updates on biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated that cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy are able to effectively improve the prognosis of hormone receptor positive (HR(+)), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative advanced breast cancer (ABC). Five CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib, dalpiciclib, and trilaciclib have been approved for the treatment of this breast cancer subset at present. The efficacy and safety profile of adding these CDK4/6 inhibitors to endocrine therapies in HR(+) breast cancer has been proved in a number of clinical trials. Besides, extending the application of CDK4/6 inhibitors to HER2(+) or triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) has also led to some clinical benefits. METHODS: A comprehensive, non-systematic review of the latest literature about CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance in breast cancer was conducted. The examined database was PubMed/MEDLINE, and the last search was run on October 1, 2022. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: In this review, the generation of CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance is related to gene alteration, pathway dysregulation, and tumor microenvironment change. With a deeper insight in the mechanisms of CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance, some biomarkers have presented the potential to predict drug resistance and showed prognostic value. Furthermore, in preclinical studies, some modified treatment strategies based on CDK4/6 inhibitors exhibited effectiveness on drug-resistant tumors, suggesting a preventable or reversible drug-resistant status. CONCLUSIONS: This review clarified the current knowledge about mechanisms, the biomarkers to overcome the drug resistance of CDK4/6 inhibitors, and the latest clinical progresses about CDK4/6 inhibitors. Possible approaches to overcome CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance were further discussed. For example, using another CDK4/6 inhibitor, PI3K inhibitor, mTOR inhibitor, or a novel drug.